There was a celebrated referee at the big match on Ash Wednesday.
The Digicel Cup final between Bodden Town and Elite at the TE McField Annex was officiated by Cuban FIFA referee, David Betancourt, and he was assisted by Cayman Islands FIFA assistant referees, Dwayne Ebanks, Ionut Bordieanu and former FIFA referee Alfredo Whittaker.
The Cayman Islands Football Association’s Referee Department has started a new initiative for referee development locally, by expanding its referee exchange programme with the Cuban Football Association. Since 2007, the CIFA has forged a partnership with the Jamaica Football Federation, through the referee exchange programme – with the view of enhancing the performance and skills of the top referees within both national associations. By participating in the referee exchange programme the referees will enhance their skills and garner experience by their exposure to top competition matches in the respective member association.
Whittaker, who now heads the CIFA Referee Department, said: “I firmly believe that without international exposure it will be extremely difficult to improve the standard of the referees in this era. Football, which is the leading sport within most counties, requires first-class interpretation and application of the laws of the game by match officials, in order to maintain the spirit of the game. The referee’s ability to master game management and control is critical, as this will certainly enhance fair play and the ultimate beauty of the game.
“International exposure can definitely improve a referee’s performance, and I am extremely grateful to the CIFA and its President, Jeffrey Webb, for developing this partnership and programme with the Cuban Football Association, which will certainly improve the skills of our local referees.”
Later this year, referees from the Cayman Islands will visit Cuba to officiate in the Cuban top leagues.
Betancourt said: “It is really an honour to be selected to travel to the Cayman Islands to officiate in one of the islands cup finals. The hospitality is tremendous, and I am very happy for this opportunity to officiate with the Cayman Islands officials.
“I am delighted that my association has developed this exchange programme with the Cayman Islands and my fellow colleagues in Cuba are looking forward for their opportunity to officiate here, as well. I hope to see Cayman Islands referees in Cuba soon, especially for the cup finals, which will bring a different atmosphere to our stadiums.”
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