PREMIER Soccer League Masvingo-based referee Makonese Masakadza failed a fitness test conducted at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) on Saturday.
RONALD MOYO SPORTS REPORTER
Masakadza failed to complete the required 12x400m at the Nust track dropping out of the track with the last 400m remaining.
The more than 80 referees were supposed to clock the 400m lap in 70 seconds.
He was ruled out together with two female referees Rudo Nhemanga and Tambudzai Tavunga.
The exercise also targeted those looking forward to be in the Zifa panel for next season.
Although overall results are expected next month after marking of the theory test has been done, the trio of Masakadza, Nhemanga and Tavunga were automatically disqualified after they failed the fitness test.
The theories were done on Friday.
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Zifa fitness trainer Joseph Mususa said the use of technology produces genuine results, hence was a welcome development to the sport that has endured a lot of criticism regarding poor officiating.
“The use of technology is a good development. It produces reliable results. In the past we have heard people complaining about the manipulation of the results. This time everything can be done fairly and even the experienced referees can fail the test because technology knows no favouritism,” he said.
“Panel referees only have themselves to blame for failure because fitness test results are not decided by us, but the machines with their timing,” he added.
Mususa noted that with the current system results are recorded both by the machines and the trainers and then compiled at the end of the session and the computerised data can be stored for later reference if one is not satisfied with the outcome.
