350 continue to blow whistle
31 March 2020 | Sports
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
Many continue to show interest in becoming referees, despite the Namibia Premier League being inactive, referee’s manager at Namibia Football Association (NFA), Absalom Goseb, says.
Jobs for the men with the whistles have become rare for many who have their licences given that league and division football have been on a halt.
The Namibia’s referee association registered 234 referees during the 2018/19 football season.
Things for referees have however not been rosy given the inactivity of league football.
“Well, it has been difficult for many but I can assure you that most of the referees we registered during the 2018/19 season have not given up on their careers yet.
“We have kept them busy officiating boozers’ leagues and other tournaments during this period,” Goseb said.
Youth interest
Goseb further revealed that the association has registered more referees in recent times.
The former referee expressed amazement at the fact that many of the newly registered are young and vibrant.
The association has registered 116 more, totalling 350 referees.
“The good thing is that more young people have been registering to become referees.
“It is indeed an important statistic knowing that there have been so many challenges in football and that many people could have given up on the beautiful game.”
The NFA has also continued empowering referees with courses through the Confederation of African Football and Fifa.
“I can assure you that the number of referees can grow because some regions are still to submit the names of those they registered.”
Coronavirus impact
Like many sport codes, refereeing in Namibia has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The association was forced to put all refereeing courses and registrations on hold.
“We have put some of these things on halt for now because of what the world is experiencing at the moment.
“Some of those who are registered are however doing online courses and others will have to wait for when the storm is over,” Goseb said.
WINDHOEK
Many continue to show interest in becoming referees, despite the Namibia Premier League being inactive, referee’s manager at Namibia Football Association (NFA), Absalom Goseb, says.
Jobs for the men with the whistles have become rare for many who have their licences given that league and division football have been on a halt.
The Namibia’s referee association registered 234 referees during the 2018/19 football season.
Things for referees have however not been rosy given the inactivity of league football.
“Well, it has been difficult for many but I can assure you that most of the referees we registered during the 2018/19 season have not given up on their careers yet.
“We have kept them busy officiating boozers’ leagues and other tournaments during this period,” Goseb said.
Youth interest
Goseb further revealed that the association has registered more referees in recent times.
The former referee expressed amazement at the fact that many of the newly registered are young and vibrant.
The association has registered 116 more, totalling 350 referees.
“The good thing is that more young people have been registering to become referees.
“It is indeed an important statistic knowing that there have been so many challenges in football and that many people could have given up on the beautiful game.”
The NFA has also continued empowering referees with courses through the Confederation of African Football and Fifa.
“I can assure you that the number of referees can grow because some regions are still to submit the names of those they registered.”
Coronavirus impact
Like many sport codes, refereeing in Namibia has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The association was forced to put all refereeing courses and registrations on hold.
“We have put some of these things on halt for now because of what the world is experiencing at the moment.
“Some of those who are registered are however doing online courses and others will have to wait for when the storm is over,” Goseb said.
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