Referee Andrew

AFTER Antoine Lafortune, it was the turn of Derrick Andrew to officiate an African competition final.

If Lafortune was chosen as the first referee for the 2001 African Nations' Cup men's final between hosts Nigeria and Cameroon which the latter won 3-1 and the 2003 African Nations' Cup women's final which pitted Kenya against Egypt, Andrew had the honour of being selected as second referee for the women's final of the recent Eighth All-Africa Games.

Andrew, who along with Lafortune are Seychelles' only two Fédération internationale de volley-ball (FIVB) referees since 1999, told Sports Nation that it was a fruitful experience to officiate a final of this calibre.

"I wasn't expecting to be chosen for the final, but when I was asked to do so the day before, I just could not believe that I was going to live a new experience. During the final, I did my best like in every match," said 36-year-old Andrew.

Asked to comment on the level of competition, Andrew, who has also coached the Cascade women's team, replied:

"African volleyball has evolved over the years and this is because those teams are exposed to high level competition and benefit from quality training. Nigeria, for example, trained in Cuba for the competition and it was not surprising to see them win the title. "

Andrew added that two Seychellois referees are to follow courses soon so that they too could become international referees.

It is to note that hosts Nigeria beat this year's African Nations' Cup winners Egypt 3-2 in the women's final of the Eighth All-Africa Games.

G. G.