Experienced Ethiopian referee Bamlak for Tokyo Olympics

Ethiopia’s Tessema Bamlak is among the referees selected to handle football matches at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

The women’s tournament will open July 21^st and the gold medal match will be played on August 6^th, while the men’s tournament kicks-off July 22 and climaxes on August 22nd.

Bamlak who has handled top tournaments in Africa 24 other referees including Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga from the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) region.

For the assistant referees the CECAFA region will be represented by Kenya’s Gilbert Cheruiyot and fast improving Mary Njoroge. Nine officials form Africa including South Africa’s Victor Gomes are among the 99 selected to officiate both the men and women’s competition.

FIFA has however made it clear that preparation of the appointed match officials for these important competitions will be regularly and closely monitored before and during the Olympic Games by a team of technical trainers.

For the first time football at the Olympics will include the use of VAR technology.

Africa will be represented by Egypt, South Africa and Ivory Coast for the men’s competition at the Tokyo Olympics, while Zambia qualified for the women’s competition.