Fifa honours for local refs
Local Fifa-accredited referees received their official uniforms from the world football governing body on Friday at the NFA Technical Centre.
Fifa has recognised 11 Namibian referees, with 2017 Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Referee of the Year award recipient Jackson Pavaza, joining Ongwediva-based Jonas Shongedi and new referee on the block Nehemia Shovaleka from Ondangwa, among those who received their official uniforms.
In the assistant referees' bracket, regulars Mathew Kanyanga, Dawid Shaanika, Isaskar Boois and Christof Vries are joined by new entrant Sem Singeve from Grootfontein.
In the ladies section, former Brave Gladiators defender Vistoria Shangula has been accepted by Fifa as a 2018 female referee, and was joined for the first time by two assistants, Olivia Amukuu and Paulina Joel. NFA referees coordinator Absalom Goseb said when the association started off it had no Fifa recognised referees, but the number has been steadily increasing ever since.
“The previous year, the association had seven Fifa recognised referees and the number has increased to 11 this year. This is a positive result as three out of the 11 referees are female,” said Goseb.
According to Fifa rules, women are not allowed to officiate men's matches unless they pass a fitness test and this is the reason why female referees in the country are unable to officiate at league games. “However, when the first division kicks off they will be able to officiate at that level because they are qualified,” Goseb explained.
He added that the new Adidas equipment which consists of bags, tracksuits, socks, shoes and two T-shirts will enable the referees to officiate matches in a more professional manner, compared to the attire they currently use, which is outdated.
Pavaza, Mathew Kanyanga, David Shaanika and Shongedi will depart for Ghana to officiate at the African Champions League match between Aduana and Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on 16 May.
Goseb said there will also be a referees' workshop in Cairo, Egypt on a date to be announced, where Namibia will send Shovaleka, Singeve and Shangula.
NFA
In the assistant referees' bracket, regulars Mathew Kanyanga, Dawid Shaanika, Isaskar Boois and Christof Vries are joined by new entrant Sem Singeve from Grootfontein.
In the ladies section, former Brave Gladiators defender Vistoria Shangula has been accepted by Fifa as a 2018 female referee, and was joined for the first time by two assistants, Olivia Amukuu and Paulina Joel. NFA referees coordinator Absalom Goseb said when the association started off it had no Fifa recognised referees, but the number has been steadily increasing ever since.
“The previous year, the association had seven Fifa recognised referees and the number has increased to 11 this year. This is a positive result as three out of the 11 referees are female,” said Goseb.
According to Fifa rules, women are not allowed to officiate men's matches unless they pass a fitness test and this is the reason why female referees in the country are unable to officiate at league games. “However, when the first division kicks off they will be able to officiate at that level because they are qualified,” Goseb explained.
He added that the new Adidas equipment which consists of bags, tracksuits, socks, shoes and two T-shirts will enable the referees to officiate matches in a more professional manner, compared to the attire they currently use, which is outdated.
Pavaza, Mathew Kanyanga, David Shaanika and Shongedi will depart for Ghana to officiate at the African Champions League match between Aduana and Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on 16 May.
Goseb said there will also be a referees' workshop in Cairo, Egypt on a date to be announced, where Namibia will send Shovaleka, Singeve and Shangula.
NFA
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