Pinehas K Pinehas 

Netball is often viewed as a female-dominated sport, but Boikhutso Victor Tuelo, a passionate sports enthusiast from Botswana, is breaking barriers and inspiring others to follow his lead. 

As a male umpire at the recently- concluded Africa Netball Cup held in Swakopmund, his involvement is a significant step towards diversifying the sport.

The tournament, held at the MTC Dome, featured both male and female participants, emphasising the growing acceptance of men in traditionally female-dominated sports like netball. Recognising this shift, the New Era team reached out to Tuelo to gain insight into his journey, and the role of males in netball officiating.

His path into netball was serendipitous. “I got into netball by chance when I was asked to officiate at a school where I worked. My journey has been fulfilling, though challenging, especially due to the underfunding of the sport,” he shared. 

Despite these challenges, his experience when officiating at the Africa Netball Cup has been nothing short of incredible. He described the tournament as an unmatched festival, filled with energy and enthusiasm, where he had the opportunity to learn and grow in his profession.

However, officiating comes with its own set of difficulties. “One major challenge I face is being accused of bias when calls go against certain teams. It can get personal, but I remain committed to being fair and honest,” Tuelo stated. He added that most tournaments use neutral umpires, which helps maintain objectivity.

His advice for anyone interested in umpiring in Namibia is simple: “Go for it. Netball is more than just a sport; it’s a family. The bonds you form here are unique, and the reliance on your teammates or fellow umpires is unmatched.”