The Football Federation of Turkmenistan, together with the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), is holding an international training seminar on the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system.
The training seminar, which kicked off at the Ashgabat Multifunctional Stadium in the capital, brought together approximately 30 local referees representing all of the country’s provinces and the city of Ashgabat. The event will run until February 8.
CAFA VAR instructor and representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jahangir Saidov, lead the seminar. Local instructors Kakabay Seidov and Charymyrat Gurbanov assist him.
In the morning, participants attend theoretical sessions held in the conference hall of the Ashgabat Stadium. These sessions cover the principles of the VAR system, analyze game moments using video footage, examine decisions based on on-field situations, and analyze the actions of referees working with the VAR system during matches.
In the afternoon, practical classes are held, during which examples learned in theory are practiced directly on the football field.
It should be noted that the VAR training and consultation process consists of three stages. Referees who successfully complete the first stage, which is currently underway, will have the opportunity to participate in the second stage, scheduled for this summer. The third stage of training is planned for the end of the year.
According to Charymyrat Gurbanov, head of the refereeing department of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, referees who successfully complete training and pass the required tests will eventually be able to officiate international matches that utilize the VAR system.
