The annual Pre-Season Elite Training (PET) for top-flight referees kicked off on Monday, September 1, 2025, bringing together match officials from the FKF Premier League.
The opening day featured intensive fitness exercises, designed to ensure referees meet the physical demands of the modern game. On day two, the program transitioned into integrated sessions with players, replicating real match situations to sharpen decision-making under pressure. These integrated sessions will run for three consecutive days.
The referees are being taken through key game management areas, including:
- Penalty area incidents
- Positioning and movements
- Freekick situations
- Next phase of play
- Quick transition scenarios
- Offside calls
In addition, the referees will undergo video analysis sessions after each integrated training to review performance and enhance learning.
The integrated sessions were introduced to provide real-life practical experiences, bridging the gap between theory and in-game situations.
A total of 58 referees are participating in this year’s pre-season PET, under the guidance of an experienced panel of instructors. The training is being led by Lead Technical Instructor Sylvester Kirwa, with support from Assistant Technical Instructor Everlyne Awuori, Monitors Davies Omwenwa and Hesbon Mbogo, and Fitness Instructors Richard Obare and Tabitha Njoroge.
The referees’ program will run until Friday, September 5, 2025. Afterward, match commissioners will undergo their own capacity-building classes from September 5 to September 7, 2025, focusing on the assessment and management of matches.
The PET remains a cornerstone in the Federation’s efforts to raise officiating standards, ensuring referees are better equipped to handle the intensity and demands of the FKF Premier League season.
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