FIT endorses Qatar’s touch rugby referees

Qatar Touch (QTouch) president, Omran al-Sherwai

As the world goes digital in its quest to reduce physical interactions, the Federation of International Touch (FIT) recently concluded its first online referee course for National Federations and officially confirmed Qatar’s first four referee appointments; Andrew Jansen, Nilhan Abeysena, Shashi Palaniwel and Samuel Rico. Qatar Touch (QTouch) president, Omran al-Sherwai commended FIT for their initiative and ongoing support. “I would like to express my gratitude to FIT and its organisers for their continued support and development of QTouch, they have been very instrumental in our growth and awareness during the past 3 years,” al-Sherwai said. “We have just updated our membership for another three years and look forward to much improved and educated Federation”. “We have spoken to FIT about other capacity-building activities for officials, coaches, photographers and tournament commissioners. Intending referee and coach candidates must have an internet-enabled laptop or tablet, have some refereeing or coaching experience and be prepared to officiate or coach at the highest league in the country,” al-Sherwai explained. . The president also expressed joy about Qatar’s first Touch officials, saying, “It makes me proud to know that Qatar has its first ever recognised referees. I extend my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to the accredited four Touch referees.” The FIT referee online course was conducted by Ian Matthew (FIT Referees Commission Chair) and Chris Dolahenty (FIT Referees Commission Member). The four hour course attracted 230 participants across all 12 Asia NTOs including; Japan, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Qatar. FIT Member Relations Commission (Asia) member and course organiser Bianca Arco said: “It is a very encouraging indication on the growth & development of our sport across the region. This is our first online course and already we are exploring other courses.” For his par acting NTO referee director Samuel Rico said, “We are extremely happy with developing Qatar Touch on the officiating level. This is new ground for us and we are extremely pleased for our participants. “We will continue to work closely with FIT to overcome this pandemic together and further develop our sport across Qatar,” he said. Commenting about the referees course Rico said: “The FIT Referee course is designed to equip new referees with key skills and knowledge. Once completed referees will be able to referee grassroots Touch matches safely and effectively.”