Nigerian University Games Association volunteer has big aspirations as a football official

Igho Hope, a young and ambitious official, recently had the opportunity to serve with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the just concluded CAF U-20 Championship in Egypt.

When asked about his experience, he spoke glowingly about the time spent with the CAF Director of Referees and the invaluable lessons he learned from other instructors and referees from different parts of Africa.

“I was able to gain invaluable knowledge from my interactions with the CAF Director of Referees and other instructors, which greatly improved my abilities as an official,” Hope, a Nigerian referee, said of his experience with CAF.

Hope has attributed this successful stint with CAF to his participation in the NUGA (Nigerian University Games Association) volunteer program, which helped him network with people from different walks of life and adapt quickly to new environments, cultures, and people. “The NUGA volunteer program provided me with the tools to be successful in a new environment, and I’m grateful for the experience,” he said.

Hope volunteered as an events coordinator during the 26th NUGA Games held at the University of Lagos in 2022. After that, he joined the inaugural NUGA volunteer program and has been actively involved in organizing local events at his school. Specifically, he has been instrumental in coordinating training sessions for individuals who aspire to become referees and non-match officials, with a focus on improving their physical fitness.

At the University of Ibadan, in Ibadan, Nigeria, Hope is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology while also making significant strides in his career as a referee. Holding the position of Grade 1 FIFA Assistant Referee, he has officiated several matches in both the CAF Confederations Cup and CAF Champions League since 2021.

At the CAF U20 Championship held in Cairo, Egypt, he served as Assistant Referee 1 and 2 in the Congo vs Uganda and Tunisia vs Zambia group stageHope 1 matches. Additionally, he was appointed as a reserve referee for the Quarter Finals game between Congo and Tunisia. With his unwavering determination and dedication to his professional pursuits, Igho remains committed to achieving even greater success in the future.

Looking ahead, Hope has set his sights on officiating at the pinnacle of world football tournaments, the FIFA World Cup. Additionally, he hopes to establish his own sports solutions company in the near future. “I hope to one day reach the highest level of officiating and showcase my skills on the world stage at the FIFA World Cup. Alongside this, I plan to use my experience and knowledge to create a sport solution company that can help develop the next generation of officials,” Hope said.

His experience with CAF has undoubtedly bolstered his passion for sports and helped him gain valuable insights that he can apply to future endeavours.