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First year student at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Butterworth, Anathi Zizipho Valashiya (20), is hoping to follow in the footsteps of premier soccer league referee, Akhona Makalima.
Mount Fletcher-born Valashiya is in the process of realising her dream of becoming a professional soccer referee one day.
Last month the WSU student won the best assistant referee award, when she was officiating in a second edition of the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup u/17 tournament which was hosted at Walter Sisulu University sports ground at Bika Campus.
It was the first time Valashiya had officiated in the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, as she used to do duty in the Joe Gqabi local leagues and tournaments.
During the presentation of prizes after the final game between Mchubakazi team Young Stars FC and Centre of Excellence from East London, which she was officiating, she was surprised when the panel of referees pronounced her as the best assistant referee throughout the event.
“I’m surprised and at same time I am happy, because I didn’t expect to win an award as it was my first time officiating in this tournament,” said Valashiya with a smile.
She said that when she arrived at WSU this year she saw that they would host a well-organised soccer event, and it is when she decided to expose her talent by being part of the officials.
Furthermore, she said before the kick-off of the event they had a workshop, organised by Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, with premier soccer league referee, Akhona Makalima, as their main speaker, who gave them some advice about officiating games.
During that workshop she believes they learned a lot as upcoming soccer referees, and she is hoping that one day she will become a professional referee like Makalima, and write her own history in soccer.
To keep her dreams alive she also attends referee workshops to educate and empower herself about officiating. Earlier this year she was part of a national workshop in Gauteng, where referees from various provinces were trained about officiating.
