SOLOMON Islands’ top referee, Ben Aukwai continues to make strides internationally as he attends the FIFA Seminar for Elite Referees from the AFC, CAF, and OFC in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 27 to 31.
The seminar brings together top match officials from the three confederations to enhance their refereeing standards and technical expertise.
Aukwai is among a select group of regional match officials invited to participate in this prestigious event.
During the seminar match officials will be subjected to a series of fitness tests, including;
- 7x7x7 Sprint Test – Completing 2x sprints under 4.90 seconds with 90” recovery.
- 40m Sprint – Four sprints under 5.80 seconds with 60” recovery.
- Dynamic Yo-Yo Test – Reaching level 19.5 (2240m total distance).
Aukwai thanked FIFA and the OFC for his nomination as he continues to strive for best outcomes in his career.
“I would like to acknowledge OFC and FIFA for nominating me to participate in this FIFA seminar,” Aukwai told SIFF Media.
“This is another great opportunity for me as I know the main objective of this seminar is to enhance the standard of refereeing across our regions and competitions. It also provides a platform for collaboration and professional growth, ensuring consistency in the application and technical understanding of the Laws of the Game.
He further emphasized his commitment to continuous improvement and shared his appreciation for the support he has received.
“I will continue to aim high to achieve my goals in life. I thank God for His strength and blessings upon my life and also appreciate the support and prayers of my colleagues and family. The knowledge gained from this seminar will not only benefit me but will also be shared with my Member Association and the wider region.”
The FIFA Seminar for Elite Referees will feature both theoretical and practical sessions designed to refine the skills of participating officials which include practical sessions, training with local football players, integrated physical and technical exercises, and fitness checks to ensure peak conditioning.
Theoretically, match officials will cover topic-based discussions video analysis, and video tests to assess decision-making and interpretation of the laws of the game.