OFA concludes Fifa-certified women’s refereeing course

MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) concluded its women’s refereeing course accredited by Fifa, hosted at Al Amal Club from October 23 to 27, with the participation of 20 Omani referees, in addition to one referee from Bahrain and another from Iraq. The selected participants were chosen following a series of practical assessment workshops organised by the association to identify promising female refereeing talent.
The course, delivered by international instructor Ali al Turaifi, focused on updating knowledge of the Laws of the Game and enhancing the referees’ physical and technical skills. This initiative supports the association’s strategy to develop female officials and enable their active involvement in managing matches at the local, regional, and international levels, in line with Fifa’s vision to advance women’s football worldwide. The course was attended by Referees Committee Chairman Hamad al Miyahi, committee members Saif al Ghafri and Khalid al Shaqsi, and the association’s Refereeing Department Director Abdullah al Jardani.

At the closing of the programme, Board Member and Chair of the Women’s Committee Hajar al Mazini emphasised the strong engagement shown by the participants. She noted that the course followed a careful selection process to ensure the participation of the most capable candidates, aiming to raise the overall standard of female referees.
Al Mazini highlighted the importance of empowering women officials to manage domestic competitions and eventually represent Oman in regional and international tournaments. She stated that Omani women have demonstrated excellence in various sports sectors, and refereeing is no exception, expressing confidence in their ability to leave a distinguished mark that contributes to strengthening Oman’s presence in women’s football.

Participant Safa al Siyabi described the course as rich in knowledge and highly beneficial, adding that she gained essential skills both practically on the field and theoretically regarding refereeing decision-making. She explained that the experience has strengthened her ambition to earn the international referee badge, encouraging fellow referees to join similar programmes for their positive impact on confidence and capability.
Another participant, Laila al Alawi, expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity and said she learned valuable lessons in confidence and making accurate decisions under pressure. She explained that her passion for refereeing began at the age of seventeen. Despite not being accepted initially due to age requirements, she reapplied in 2025 and is determined to continue pursuing her goal of obtaining the international badge and representing Oman in major tournaments.