Speaking at the concluding function of the three-day AFC Referees Instructors’ Course, which was part of AFC’s annual Elite Education Seminar, Bin Hammam said that Asian football stands to benefit when future instructors perfect best practices.

“You, the referees instructors, will be the leaders between now and the next refresher course and I am sure you are going to give your 100 per cent,” he said.

“Your task and mission is very hard because you want your trainees to be better than you.”

First-time instructor Tammy Ogston, who became the first referee to officiate in both the opening and final matches of 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, praised the course saying this helped her learn the basics of teaching.

“This was an excellent course to know how to become an instructor. I have learned here how to teach and impart the information I have received to my students,” she told www.the-afc.com.

“Being a referee before it won’t be a problem for me because instructors like me have the feel of the game,” said the 29-year-old Australian.

Former international referee Kuwait’s Saad Kamil said the course helps instructors to update their knowledge.

“It’s a very good idea to have a refresher course every year. It was the need of the hour because there are more elite referees and competitions in Asia,” he said.