Alkass English
As part of its preparations for the 2025–2026 sports season, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) is organizing an Elite Referees’ Camp from July 31 to August 11 at the InterContinental Doha Hotel.
A total of 56 referees, assistant referees, VAR officials, and members of the Referees’ Committee, led by technical expert Valentin Ivanov, are taking part. All participants successfully passed the fitness tests held at Aspire Stadiums, achieving a 100% success rate—an essential requirement for inclusion in the camp.
The program blends theoretical sessions—covering updates to the Laws of the Game, VAR application, and video analysis—with practical training at Al Duhail Club and Qatar University stadiums, focusing on positioning, decision-making, and managing match scenarios. Advanced technical and tactical performance tests will further assess readiness for high-tempo competition.
Supervised by Hani Ballan, Chairman of the Referees’ Committee, the camp underscores the QFA’s commitment to technical excellence and fair officiating. Ballan emphasized:?“This camp is not only a physical and technical milestone but also a platform to build capable referees who can officiate matches efficiently and fairly.”
The Elite Referees’ Camp concludes on August 11, just days before the Doha Bank Stars League kicks off on August 14, marking a key step toward ensuring a distinguished and fair refereeing season in Qatar.