Two promising young referees from the ||Kharas region have been selected to officiate at the upcoming Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, as confirmed by the Kharas Football Regional Chairperson, Emrico Blaauw.
Speaking to NBC News, Blaauw expressed his excitement about the achievement and encouraged other youth to join the ||Kharas Referees Association, highlighting refereeing as a viable career path within the football world.
At a recent event in Keetmanshoop, where new referee outfits were handed over to the ||Kharas Referees Association, Blaauw emphasized the importance of building a long-lasting career in football. He explained that being a referee is just one of the many opportunities available to young people in the sport.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, which serves as a platform for discovering future football talent, will take place from April 18 to 21, 2025, in Outjo, Kunene Region.
Blaauw mentioned, "As you know, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup is a platform where we unearth rare gems, starting from a young age of under 20, not only players but also referees. We are proud to have two of our referees selected to officiate at the Cup, and this is a positive development for the region."
During the event, NBC Sport spoke to the two young referees chosen for the prestigious event.
Emil Plaatjie shared his excitement: "My love for football is the main reason I decided to become a referee. I have already officiated in five games—one in Rosh Pinah and the other four in Keetmanshoop. I never expected to be called up to officiate at the Namibian Newspaper Cup, as I don't have much experience. However, I will try my best to officiate these games and hope to learn from other referees."
Desmond Plaatjie, his fellow referee, expressed his admiration for those who have gone before him: "I was inspired by the big guys before us. Refereeing is really nice, and I want to achieve something through it. Every game is a new challenge for me to overcome."
In addition, the ||Kharas regional under-20 football team held its trials over the weekend, and the names of the selected players will be announced soon in preparation for the upcoming Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.