A total of 20 bursaries, valuing $100,000, were awarded to referees and their children at a general meeting of the Jamaica Football Referees' Association (JFRA) held recently at the Port Maria Heart Academy.

President of the Association, Bryan Rhoden, said the award of the bursaries was in keeping with a decision taken at the last Annual General Meeting of the JFRA held on June 30 this year at the office of the Jamaica Football Association.

The fund, which was set up to award the bursaries, will also assist in the referees' welfare.

This is Rhoden's second year as president of the JFRA, and in his first year, he promised that the award of the bursaries would be one of the objectives of the Association.

Referees were asked to submit the names of one dependent that is currently in school. The bursaries were also open to referees attending school. All the names submitted were placed in a box and 20 names were drawn. The names selected were then verified as registered and paid-up members.

Clive Wright, first vice-president of the JFRA and Cavel Banton, treasurer, presented the cheques to the successful applicants. In brief remarks at the presentation, Rhoden said that despite its meagre resources the JFRA hopes to continue the venture because it considers education as fundamentally important to a person's life.