Tomusange as fit as a fiddle in Seoul warm-up

By Daniel Saire and ReuterUGANDAN FIFA referee Ali Tomusange yesterday fought his heart out in a bid to satisfy FIFA that he is ready to officiate at the Korea-Japan World Cup.The 38-year old whistler, will become the first Ugandan to officiate at the World Cup, if he passes the tests.Markus Merk emerged as the king of speed among the referees being tested yesterday. The German, five days past his 40th birthday, ran 3,340 metres in 12 minutes in Seoul, leading the 72 referees and assistants being tested.All 72 have to show they can run 2,700 metres in 12 minutes, 50 metres in 7.5 seconds and 200 metres in 32 seconds. Medical and drug tests are also planned. Tomusange’s average in recent Cooper Tests is 3.500m in 12 minutes.Italian referee Pierluigi Collina was absent as he was suffering from a high temperature.The late Keith Bukenya, father to FIFA referee Arthur Bukenya, came close to officiating at Spain 1982 but died two months before kick off while Charles Masembe was dropped a month to France 1998.ends