Baghdad, May 08 (QNA) - A FIFA-supervised training course for football referee instructors in West Asia kicked off on Thursday in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, with the participation of 33 instructors representing various Asian countries.

The course, which runs until May 11, aims to enhance the skills of referee instructors and update their knowledge on the latest developments in Laws of the Game and modern teaching methods. The program covers several key topics, including the latest FIFA applications of the rules.

The course is attended by Chairman of the Referees Committee of the Qatar Football Association, and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Hani Taleb Ballan, President of the Iraq Football Association, Adnan Darjal, Referee Development Director for West Asia, Ismail Al Hafi, along with participating instructors, including Qataris Abdullah Al Balushi and Hassan Al Thawadi.

In a press statement, Ballan described the course as one of the most important referee training programs, highlighting its role in facilitating the exchange of experiences among participants through fruitful discussions that support educational goals and knowledge enhancement. He also emphasized the importance of accessing the latest FIFA educational materials used for referee training and development. (QNA)