MY JOURNEY AS A NIGERIAN REFEREE (PART 3)

	Nigerian Referee Logo

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to yet another episode of my journey as a Nigerian Referee.
If you had missed the previous episodes, kindly use the link below to read through in order to understand the steps of becoming a professional Referee in Nigeria.

Grade One Certificate

Having graduated accordingly from RIT to Grade 3 in 2014, I graduated again from Grade 3 to Grade 2 in 2016, at last, it was the time for me to sit for the last promotional exam in 2018.
I duly registered for the exam, sat and passed in flying colors. My council, presented me with my certificate and I was ready for my first annual Fitness test.

	Grade 1 Certificate

The Fitness Test

My first experience of the Annual fitness test took place At Shagamu, Ogun State.
I arrived with My fellow Imo State Referees in high hopes of passing because I have really trained very well and was psychologically ready for it.

		Imo Referees

Medical Check-Up and the Race

All participants were to present a comprehensive medical report and ECG report from a reputable hospital and then undergo a compulsory medical check up available at the center.
Blood pressure is a key determinant to ascertain if you are qualified to run or not. Participants with high blood pressure aren't allowed to run.

After a successfully passed my medical check up, I was duly registered and assigned a number on the bip to Wear for the race.

	officials addressing participants

	@fifapresido with other Referees

The Race is divided into two categories. The first category is a 40 meter sprint in not more than 6 seconds. It is Repeated for 6 times.
The second category is the race proper. It consist of 12 laps of 400 meters in 28 minutes.
Only successful participants are recognized and given matches to officiate for the season.

	successful participants

Promotion and demotion of a Referee

As a successful participant of the annual Fitness test, I was automatically promoted to officiate matches in the lower division of the Nigerian league. This lower division compromises of 3 categories namely;

1. Nigerian Nation Wide League 3
2. Nigerian Nation Wide League 2
3. Nigerian Nation Wide League 1

As a newly promoted Referee, you will be officiating league matches in these cadres for at least 3 years provided you are able to pass the yearly fitness test.

		NNWL Matches

Based on the recommendation of both the Match commissioners and the Referee Assessors, you will be promoted to the next level which is the Nigerian National League (NNL).
The NNL is the most important league in Nigeria because it promotes the best teams to the Apex league in the country which is the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL)

	Ready for pre match meeting

	NNL Referees

	With MC & Assessor

It is very important to note that referees who performed poorly in their matches are demoted or suspended from league matches to serve as punishment and deterrent to others.
I am currently an NNL Referee and very hopeful for my promotion to officiate in the NPFL soon.
Thanks for reading and watch out for the next episode.

My introductory post

My journey as a Nigerian Referee (part 1)

My journey as a Nigerian Referee (part 2)