OSHAKATI – About 27 aspiring referees attended the NFA Intermediate Referees Course at the Oshakati Multi-Purpose Youth Centre, with national instructors Arvo Mufeti, Simson Dumingu and Moses Spike Hidengwa conducting the week-long course.
The course that started last week Monday ended on Friday and was attended by referee trainees from nine northern regions namely the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana (including Omaalala Village-Based Football League), Omusati and Kunene regions. About 40 referees were expected to attend, but only 27, of which one is a lady from the Zambezi Region, participated. In his opening remarks delivered by NFA’s Frans Mbidi, local councillor, Honorable Lotto Kuushomwa, praised the participants, mainly youngsters, for their interest and participation in the programme. “It is great to see that our youth, like yourselves, are willing to refrain from bad habits and focus more on constructive areas, in this case the area of sport, for the development of this country.
Our great Vision 2030 is aiming at the attainment of a knowledge-based nation and if we are to interpret this key area, we are left with no option other than to mention sports as one of the instruments that drive our country towards the realisation of our dream.”
“Remember that sport contributes to healthy lifestyle of a human being and you can only have a healthy nation if collectively you have healthy citizens. It is also well known, worldwide that sport plays a fundamental role in unifying people and nations and there is no doubt that Namibia also is striving towards this very significant global objective.”
Kuushomwa emphasized the importance of referees in any sport discipline. “For football to reach sport’s ultimate objectives, the referees, to make sure those Laws of the Game are adhered to and eventually the broad goals of the game of football will be observable in our nation, thus you are here this whole week, because you want this dream to become a reality.”
According to referee’s fitness instructor Spike Hidengwa, the participants have shown keen interest and were learning fast. “They were very eager to learn more because of their growing interest. They were taken through physical training and the laws of the game. Together with other practising referees they will undergo a fitness test before the end of the training.”
On behalf of the trainees Leonard Mandongo conveyed their appreciation to the NFA for availing the course to them. “On behalf of my fellow participants, we pledge to work hard and to put what we have learnt into practice. Thank you NFA.”
By Staff Reporter