NNL, NLO Fitness Test, seminars for over 1,500 Referees, Assersors begins in Kano
By Ado Salisu
This year’s northern states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja Fitness Test and seminar on new football laws for Referees and Assersors began in Kano ahead of 2025/2026 Nigerian National League NNL and Nationwide League One NLO.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had already approved of hosting the on going programme as part of his administration commitment for the sports development in the state.
The acting chairman of the state Sports Commission. Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge FIFA said the Fitness Test, lectures among others would be starting with female referees and Assersors.
Alhaji Umar Fagge FIFA who doubles as the vice President northwest of the Nigerian Referees Association pointed out that so far the females referees had concluded fitness race test at Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar Mata and the successful runners would remains in the programme while losers of race would go back to their various destination.
”The attendance were drawn from 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja while sources persons and major stakeholders include the President of the Nigerian Football Federation NFF and his counterpart from Nigerian Referees Association NRA, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Alhaji Sani Zubair are expected to be among the special guests of honour at the occasion,” he explained.
The acting chairman commended the state government and the state ministry of youth and sports for the support and cooperation.
He said the programme will run between November 7th and 17th, 2025 at Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar mata
The acting chairman then said the annual mandatory evaluation for Referees and Assersors in the NNL and NLO categories is compulsory and organized by the Nigerian Football Federation NFF Referees’ Committee to improve the quality of officiating in the Nigerian leagues.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk had declare the occasion open yesterday Sunday.
