The 20 referees from Bengal who attended the first-ever four-day workshop conducted by renowned Japanese referee Ishiyama Noboro last week in Kolkata are excited.

Noboro who was one of the leading referees in the 2002 World Cup, officiated matches in the Confederation Cup and worked as the Fifa instructor in December last year. 

Sujata Palit one of Bengal's national elite assistant referees attended all four days of the workshop. When asked about her experience the 35-year-old assistant referee opined, “It was a great experience. I already have attended Fifa-conducted MA courses seven to eight times. But Ishyama’s class was different.”

She continued, "He stressed on the practical side of the refereeing. We were trained in the practical part at Calcutta University ground and Ishyama was highly active in demonstrating the positioning, and technical part. We could have benefitted more if the four-day workshop had continued for a week at least."

According to Sujata, Ishyama’s guidance taught them mainly about our positioning on the line, and the communication method with the referees during a critical phase of the match. Ishyama also guided how to handle the respective footballers during a match when they become tempted and try to rush the referees. 

Tanmoy Dhar, another leading referee from Bengal also had a high appreciation for Ishyama’s guidance, commenting, “I attended the concluding day of the workshop. I attended Ishyama’s class before. His training consists of the physical part of the refereeing which is helpful for the referees.