Monika Amunyela
From Zambezi region in Katima to numerous netball courts across Namibia, 48-year-old Vilho Uutoni, a teacher and netball umpire, has been making his mark in more ways than one.
Born in Okathitu B in the Omusati region, he does not only spend his time in the classroom but also helps shape the future of Namibian sport.
Uutoni’s journey into netball officiating began around the mid-2000s during his secondary school years between 2006 and 2007.
Starting under the Omusati Netball Association, he then advanced to the national stage, becoming a premier league umpire under Netball Namibia. He took a break during the 2023/2024 season, but now he is back with a bang for the 2025 season.
He is no newcomer to the sport, as Uutoni served as vice chairperson of the Omusati Netball Association until 2021 before relocating to the Zambezi region. He served as the acting secretary general of the Zambezi Netball Association in 2023.
He is currently the technical director and league coordinator for the Zambezi Netball League.
Apart from officiating, Uutoni also has great passion for football.
He coached the Oshikuku Young Stars until 2023 before the team was relegated to the Omusati Second Division. By profession, he is a mathematics teacher, a role he holds with pride. Despite his demanding teaching schedule, Uutoni remains actively involved in sport while finding balance. “Sometimes, the workload becomes too much, dealing with marking tests in the morning and training in the afternoon isn’t as easy as it sounds, but one needs to stay determined,” Uutoni said.
He credits his strong family support for his determination.
“I have my lovely wife and four children, two handsome sons and two beautiful daughters. My wife is an active netball player. My son, who is a student at International University of Management, is also a football player,” he proudly shared.
To stay sharp and to cope with running on court, Uutoni trains weekly, focusing on running and physical exercises to ensure he is always ready for every match.
“Sometimes, if you’re not fit, then you cannot cope with the fast pace of the game,” he added.
Uutoni encourages young referees, especially men, to explore netball, break stereotypes and grab every available opportunity to shape their futures through sport.
He advised sport personalities to focus on their dreams and stay active.