Budding Football Referee, Mozakie King buoyed by recognition in Barbados

Vincentian, Mozakie King, left the Next Generation Referee Course in Barbados which ran from January 17 to 20, 2025, with an accolade he will always cherish.

King was adjudged the fittest among the 15 budding Football Referees from the region.

But the accomplishment was more than its worth at face value as last September, King failed a similar exercise conducted at the Diamond Track Facility, here in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

King said that failure was the fillip to ensure he keeps himself in tip top shape.

“I used it as an inspiration as I told myself I will never fail another fitness test again, so I went on an all -out effort to get my levels up and maintain them”, King told SEARCHLIGHT.

King said though that he did not set out to be the fittest on show, as being in shape is now integral to his regimen.

However, ahead of the Barbados sojourn, King revealed that through the advice of his mentors Clemroy Francois, Lorson Lewis and Moeth Gaymes, he was mentally and physically prepared for the course.

“These guys (Francois, Lewis and Gaymes) were very helpful to me. There were specific on the things that I needed to work on, so I ensured that I did, making me mentally and physically prepared for the three days in Barbados”, King emphasized.

As it relates to the award, King said: “It was a big statement. It is not the end, but the beginning for me. It means that I will always have to maintain my standards. I have to be always ready, not having to get ready whenever I am called on”.

And, King believes he has put himself in good stead to show his mettle when the Caribbean Football Union holds the Girls Under-14 Challenge Series later this year, where he and the other attendees will be given the opportunity to officiate.

During the course, King and the other 15 young referees drew on the knowledge of Dave Meikle, a CFU Referee Committee member, and Next Gen administrator, Kelesha Antoine, a FIFA Fitness Refereeing Instructor and CFU Referee Committee Member, along with Dianne Ferreira- James, FIFA Technical Instructor.

The list of facilitators also included Victor Stewart, Instructor; Ishan Phillip, Concacaf Technical Instructor; and Rohan Thobourne, Concacaf Fitness Instructor.

Two FIFA match officials and World Cup candidates in Odette Hamilton of Jamaica, and Crystal Sobers of Trinidad and Tobago, were present and served as mentors.

The course took place at the Barbados Beach Club and Barbados Sports Centre.