Ladislav Zatko from Trnava, maybe the oldest referee in Slovakia

14. 02. 2010 01:01:06

   We found about in city Trnava lives a referee he deserves surely our eyeview.He acting referee since year 1969 and he is active still now. It means he is judging without any break already 41 years!! What is really remarkable is his date of birth:  5th August 1938. In this year he will celebrate his 72nd birth day!!!  It is pretty much interesting.

Also for this reason we gave him some few questions.

Do you still remember a time you began to play football?
Yes, I played football as 11 years boy in club this time called Kovosmalt Trnava (todays name Spartak Trnava). In junior age I was a member of the Western Slovakia regional selection U-16 e.g.together with later player od Czechoslovak national team Jozef Stibrany (see the picture)
How long did you play active as a player?
Certain time I have been also member of wider selection of Spartak Trnava top team. The coaches this team were well known Anton Malatinský or Milan Moravec. In year 1961 I transfered to club in city Holic. I met ther another famous coach Michal Vican. I finished my players career  at 1969.
How did you start refereeing?
In Autumn 1969 when I still played football active I started to judge the school-boy matches in district Senica. In further I became only referee. Gradually I have been promoted to the highest regional amater league.
What do you want to say us about this time?
In regional competition I finished when I was 53 years old. I appreciated this time our Chairman of regional referee committee Mr Aladar Skvaril. He was also an active referee in top Czechoslovak league and he also supported many young referees they later judged  high level of Czechoslovak or Slovak leagues.
Why are you holding to refereeing  still now?
I feel still a sportsman as well as it is my hobby to spend time with young people. I feel also younger. I am happy to lead childern games. Except regular competition of Trnava district F.A. they invited me to referee the matches of Childern Free Time Center in city Trnava. Although is now still winter time I alredy served more as 30 junior matches in January in indoor football and also one friendly match on artificial grass outside in Trnava.
How do you keep your fitness in such age?
I try to by mobile as much as possible. I keep right way of living without alcohol. I never have had serious injury aa well as longer break in my career.

 		 Did you have statistics how much matches did you lead?
I think it is more as 3.000 competition matches and many other friendly and hobby encounters including the matches in Childern Free Time Center.

Many thanks for interview.
We wish Mr Zaťko strong health and still many succesfull matches with whistle.

(jm)