Dear All,

You must be aware that we had just conducted an all-India Referees’ Course at Ajmer. I must admit that the course had a very good response from all concerned with as many as 27 candidates enrolling—one withdrew due to indisposition—in the five-day processes which included lessons taught with practical classes, apart from coaching-cum-study-cum-examination. The entire grind was welcomed by one and I am sure all those that attended the course must have returned home enlightened.

However, we found at the end of it that there is a need for having more such courses in the future as some candidates that participated in the course lacked in knowledge and several aspects of refereeing, putting a question mark over their competency, particularly because they are supposedly the regulars doing the job of a referee in their states. In fact, this was a pre-requisite to be able to appear in the course at Ajmer. But, unfortunately, they were found wanting on many counts. It only strengthened our fears of complaints, pouring in from various quarters, including players and parents, were not completely unfounded.

But the TTFI would want all candidates to work hard and raise their standards to be independent referees in the future. That’s why we started this course keeping in mind the need for resurrection of those who are doing the job but need to enhance their level of refereeing to measure up to our standards. In the next few years, we are targeting at having two to three fully-qualified referees in each state and this course conducted at regular intervals will definitely bring in the results.

Meanwhile, when the results came out I was not fully satisfied with the outcome. But the course proved to be a real testing ground for the aspirants to measure their own capabilities, befitting the standards we are looking to set. I am glad the deserving candidates passed out and have been graded as per marks obtained by them on various counts. I convey my congratulations to all.

Those who have missed out need not despair. They can learn from their mistakes and come back strongly next year with more dedication and application.

The list below gives a glimpse of what we have today; of course, we have five A+ graded referees who have been untiringly doing the job, event after event and, another three that have pitched in their might as and when the TTFI needed. Now we have a new list of referees joining them, graded A and B, on the basis of marks they have obtained at Ajmer.

I expect the new entrants to do their job diligently, when assigned, and graduate to the next level through their exemplary work culture.

My best wishes to each one of you.

D.R. Choudhary
Secretary General