Referee’s refresher and development Course jointly organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Himachal Pradesh Football Association (HPFA) was opened today, at the Khad, Football Stadium in Una. This course, which will last five days was opened by State football association general secretary Mr Deepak Sharma.

The 5-day course has begun with 25 Referees and Assistant Referees joining in the following days. Course Instructors for the event are Mr Pratap Singh (RDO) and Vishnu Chauhan from All India Football Federation and Mr Shyam Shundar of HPFA will act as coordinator.

HPFA Gen-Sec. Mr Deepak Sharma , shared his views on the course, “Earlier also we had conducted such type of courses. Our experience so far has been excellent. Such courses help us in improving the crucial decision making by match referees and their assistant referees correctly. AIFF recognized our efforts and extended help to organize this event. We are thankful to AIFF for the generous help.”

He further stated that “With the changing of techniques and technology HPFA’s referees should have to update themselves.  In the digitalized environment of the world, if we will not update, we will lag behind ourselves. Deepak Sharma told that in spite of limited means, the football association has established several dimensions of success and under the leadership of the State president, Shri Baldev Tomar, football is being made as a bigger and influential game.

Due to this game many young people of Himachal have got new recognition in the country, he said a young player from Rohru is playing in the position of goalkeeper for ISL club, FC Pune city; Tapish Thapa hails from Dharamshala  is providing his services to All India Football Federation as a National Match-Commissioner;  Rohit from Hamirpur is acting as a national referee for junior division matches of AIFF. The youth of Himachal has thus glorified the name of the state in the entire country.

Now the girls of the state are also not behind this episode. Girls from football academy situated at Haroli sub-division are showing their talents at the national level. Dozens of girls have already played at the national level and have bought laurels to the parents and the state: stated Gen-sec Deepak Sharma.

Team HPFA