Nuno Castro: “KAZCORE Plays a Key Role in the Systematic Development of Young Referees”

26 January 2026, 11:10

The KAZCORE program is an effective project for the development of young football referees, launched by UEFA. Nuno Alexandre Pereira de Castro, Director of the Refereeing Development and Mentoring Department, spoke about the new program launched with the support of the KFF, highlighting its importance and the expected results.

- This is a fantastic program launched by UEFA. A number of national associations are already implementing the program in order to promote and develop young, talented referees. We are very pleased that Kazakhstan has been given the opportunity to implement this course here. We aim to run it on an annual basis, allowing young referees to work with coaches, consistently improve their level of preparation, and meet the demands of professional football at the highest level. This means a great deal to us. The KFF is investing in the development of refereeing, and our task is to systematically train and develop young refereeing talents.

International referees in each country represent the top level. I would compare their status to that of national team players. We must make it clear to them that they represent not only Kazakhstani refereeing, but also the country’s football as a whole, as well as Kazakhstan itself on the international stage.

I also believe it is important to highlight moments when our referees receive appointments to international matches. This is something that should be highlighted and celebrated.

We have already started preparations for the new season and have completed a significant amount of work. A number of changes to the Laws of the Game could not be implemented during the current season, as they were approved in the middle of the season. These changes will be implemented from the start of the new season. In addition, we have the opportunity to adapt and apply a number of modern approaches and ideas that are already being used in Europe.

Our referees are already working hard to prepare for the new season. They are top-level athletes who must be ready both physically and technically. We are providing them with the opportunity to develop in all these areas — physical, theoretical, and mental. As part of the preparations for the season, a pre-season seminar in Turkey is also planned. We will work intensively, systematically explaining new recommendations and requirements in order to approach the new season as fully prepared as possible.