Local referee set to officiate in India's star-studded league
Local referee set to officiate in India's star-studded league
His ultimate goal is to emulate Shamsul Maidin and the late George Suppiah, and officiate at the World Cup.
And local referee Muhammad Taqi Aljaafari will have the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of ex-World Cup winner Lucio, as well as other household names like former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan and one-time Liverpool star John Arne Riise, as he continues on his journey to achieve his dream.
The New Paper understands Taqi and assistant referee Jeffrey Goh have been invited by the All India Football Federation to officiate matches in the star-studded Hero Indian Super League (ISL), from Dec 7 to 15.
Taqi, 29, is currently on the shortlist of referees for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while 43-year-old Goh went to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and served as the fifth official in three group-stage matches.
BENEFICIAL
K Visva Nathan, the head of the Football Association of Singapore referee's department, said: "The experience in the ISL will benefit our officials whom we are continuously seeking to develop and groom further through various platforms, including attachment stints, mentorship programmes, continuous learning courses and seminars, among others.
"The invitation... is further testament to the abilities of our match officials, whom we will continue to support and mentor closely so as to maximise their potential and skills."
Viswa, who officiated at the 2002 World Cup, added that Singapore referees are "well respected and held in high regard at the international level", as evidenced by frequent appointments at international and club competitions.
Taqi is currently in Bahrain for the Asian Football Confederation Under-19 Championship.
On Thursday, the 2014 S.League referee of the year officiated a group-stage game between South Korea and Thailand.
In August 2014, he officiated an exhibition match between Italian champions Juventus and a Singapore Selection side, which was the first football match played at the new National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub.
In July last year, he refereed the game between Premier League side Stoke City and a Singapore Selection outfit in the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament, also at the National Stadium.
In April, he took home "The Inspiring Referee" prize at the inaugural Pentagon Awards.
The awards ceremony was created by Tampines Rovers chairman Krishna Ramachandra to highlight "values, initiatives and stakeholders which contribute to the game and the fraternity", and doubled up as a fund-raiser for disadvantaged youths.
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