Nuapada Football Referees Achieve New Milestone Seven Referees Successfully Participate in FAO Upgrade Fitness Test; Five Set for Promotion to Level-7

Nuapada, The football referees of Nuapada district have once again brought pride to the district by demonstrating their outstanding fitness, dedication, and officiating standards. Seven referees from Nuapada successfully participated in the Football Association of Odisha (FAO) Referee Upgrade Fitness Test 2026 (South Zone), marking another significant achievement for the district’s football fraternity. The two-day fitness assessment was conducted on July 31 and August 1 at the Jeypore Sports Complex in Koraput district, where referees from various districts across Odisha took part. Among the seven participants from Nuapada, six were existing Level-8 referees, while one was a newly registered referee appearing in the upgrade fitness test for the first time. The test was conducted under the supervision of Durga Madhab Nayak, Head of the Referee Department of the Football Association of Odisha. Out of the six existing Level-8 referees from Nuapada, five successfully cleared the fitness test, making them eligible for promotion to Level-7. The newly enrolled referee also performed commendably, successfully completing the assessment and demonstrating excellent potential for future officiating assignments. Sports experts have described this achievement as a reflection of the growing standard of referee development, fitness, and professional training in Nuapada district. They noted that qualified referees play a crucial role in ensuring fair play and the smooth conduct of football competitions at every level. The achievement has been widely appreciated by football enthusiasts, sports organizers, and members of the local sporting community. They believe the success of these referees will inspire many more young football lovers in Nuapada to pursue refereeing as a promising career and contribute to the development of the sport. The outstanding performance of Nuapada’s referees in the FAO Upgrade Fitness Test has added another glorious chapter to the district’s sporting history and stands as a testament to its steadily improving football ecosystem.