AFC - Asian referees should make the most of the education opportunities available to become the best in the world, Iran’s experienced and respected elite referee Masoud Moradi said.

Iranian Moradi, who is taking part in the ongoing AFC Elite Men’s Referee Seminar, told the-afc.com that there are plenty of talented referees in Asia who can make it to the top.

“Every year they have these courses for referees and it gets better all the time,” said Moradi, the 2003 AFC Referee of the Year. “There are great instructors and the courses are well-structured.

“If Asian referees can take in what they learned and apply them, they can be the best, and aim for the top tournaments in the world.”

He said this year’s Elite Education Seminar, in which there are 12 courses designed for referees, is particularly important given the Asian calendar for 2009.

“With the AFC Champions League becoming more professional, it is also important for referees to be the best they can,” he said.

“Coaches and players put in a lot of effort in these events and we are under much pressure to make sure we do a good job.”

Moradi is one of 65 participants in the Elite Men’s Referee Seminar. He is a decorated Asian referee, having refereed at the past Asian Cup tournaments and the Olympics. He was also twice a candidate for the FIFA World Cup.


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