I’m fully fit and back on duty – Referee Bulu
FIFA Referee Charles Benle Bulu says he has rested enough and is fit for refereeing duties after surviving a health scare during an international match in Cote d’Ivoire last March.
The Immigration Officer who holds the rank of an Assistant Inspector dismissed suggestions that he had developed a medical condition that posed a threat to his fledgling career as a knight of the whistle.
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“I have undergone a vigorous medical review and the doctors have declared me fit for any sporting activity and that means I have no medical condition and I’m well enough to undertake any activities including refereeing duties,” he revealed.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview since the incident which saw him being stretchered off during a game last March, Referee Bulu said what happened had nothing to do with his fitness or medical condition but rather stress and a strenuous condition he was exposed to just a day before the match.
Incident
Referee Bulu felt dizzy while officiating in a 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia in Abidjan and had to be stretchered off the field for first aid, before being rushed to the hospital.
He spent three days on admission during which period he was thoroughly screened before being discharged.
The incident, which incidentally was telecast live on television, generated a debate over his fitness level.
However, speaking to the media for the first time since the incident happened, he said the situation arose because he took some things for granted which affected him eventually.
“I didn’t eat quite well both at breakfast and lunch, hoping that I would rather take in some banana just before the game, only to arrive at the Match Officials’ dressing room to realise that no such provision had been made, despite we requesting for it.”
“Also, the previous day, we spent the entire day trying to get the Coronavirus (COVID-19) test done and again the next morning had to wait to be picked for a second test, but that did not happen as the driver and official who were to pick us up never showed up,” he explained.
“Again, assessing the extremely hot weather during our training, we the match officials proposed water breaks but that was declined by the Match Coordinator and all that added up to the stress and eventually, I caved in by the 75th minute of the game,” Referee Bulu narrated.
He said he felt alright during the first half but as the game wore on in the second half, he started feeling dehydrated and though the Coordinator had given the go-ahead for water breaks during the second half, it was an intervention too late as he could not take in so much water.
“I could not take in as much water as my body needed and with the heat and intensity of the game, I began feeling dehydrated by the 68th minute, but unfortunately, there was no Fourth Referee to step in.”
“I was hoping I could hold on till the next water break which was around the 75th minute, but before then I just blacked out,” he recounted.
No fourth referee
The assistant inspector of immigration said he was originally billed to be the fourth referee for the game but had to switch to the centre after the original centre referee tested positive for COVID-19.
An Ivorian was appointed as a fourth referee but per the rules of international football, he could not handle a game involving his own country.
Lesson learnt
Referee Bulu said the experience of not taking anything for granted in the job was a lesson well learnt and he would be guided by that in the future.
“This is a lesson well learnt and I will be guided by that always. I cannot overemphasise the importance of having enough rest after training and before any game. It is also important to eat adequately and appropriately and not take such things for granted,” he stressed.
He described as reassuring the outcome of his medical review, saying he looked forward to returning to action, both locally and internationally, soon.
“After my hospitalisation in Abidjan, I have undergone several medical checks, including one on cardio.”
“The reports from the review came out as very good so I was advised to have enough rest and drink more water. I was given 30 days to rest before starting to officiate again.
“After the 30 days, I have gone through another routine of reviews, and again the doctor’s report cleared me to be fit for any sporting activity, so I’m ready both physically and psychologically,” he said emphatically.
He indicated that on the local scene, he had already begun work and had been a fourth referee in two Ghana Premier League matches, expressing optimism that he would be in action when continental matches got underway again.