The Namibia Football Association hosted the FIFA MA Elite B Referee Course on Wednesday at the NFA Soccer House in Windhoek, bringing together referees from across the country for technical training sessions.
The course, led by FIFA Technical Instructor Gladys Lengwe, focused on improving the standard of officiating in Namibia through classroom learning, discussions, and practical analysis of modern football refereeing.
NBC Sport witnessed the FIFA instructor engaging with participants inside the boardroom, where referees took part in sessions covering decision-making, match control, communication, and the latest developments in the laws of the game.
Lengwe highlighted the importance of hosting referee development programs, noting that they help improve the quality and professionalism of officiating across the country.
"We've been here since the 26th of April. We started with the instructors' course; thereafter, we did the last week. You just completed the Elite A course, and we are dealing with the Elite B course."
She further emphasized that continuous education and training are important in ensuring referees are prepared to officiate at both local and international competitions.
"It is a FIFA development program where we develop referees. Referees that we want to use in CAF, COSAFA competitions, as well as FIFA competitions; for us to have referees to go to these major competitions, we have to look at development, so that's why we are here so that we equip our referees with the current knowledge as well as the concepts because every time you see there are a lot of things that are changing in football. Just a few weeks ago, a month ago, we had changes to the laws of the game, which will also be affected during the World Cup," she added.
Participants who attended the course also shared their experiences with NBC Sport, describing the sessions as informative and educational.
The referees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to interact directly with a FIFA instructor while learning new techniques and gaining a deeper understanding of modern officiating standards.
Kheimseb Rick said, "This cause is very important for reference to know, as reference will make huge decisions on the field, so this is saying that every referee is an everyday learning thing, so every day we are learning new things, and every day loss of the game has been uncommitted, so as a referee, if you are left behind the new amendment, the new rules of the game."
"Today's lesson was interesting; we talked about how to approach different techniques on the field of play and how you will come to make some decisions, and also their own point of view." Rauna Kautwima said.
The FIFA Elite B Referee Course continues tomorrow at the NFA Soccer House, with additional technical sessions expected as Namibia continues to strengthen football development through referee education.