Malawi referee Kwimbira to officiate at second Olympic Games
Malawi women’s ref to officiate at Tokyo Olympics
JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (ANA) – Malawi referee Bernadettar Kwimbira will be relishing the chance to officiate at the Tokyo Olympics from July 21 to August 7.
It will be the second time the referee has donned the whistle at the quadrennial showpiece after working at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Kwimbira said: “This is a great honour for me and I never expected it. I thought the Rio games were the first and last senior Olympic competition for me because my colleague Gladys Lengwe from Zambia, whom I have always been selected to go with to big tournaments retired last year.
“I thought I couldn’t go anywhere without her. But with her encouragement and hard work, here I am now.”
Kwimbira said she would not take the opportunity for granted.
“I would like to thank my trainers for always being there for me when I need physical and technical support. It is my promise that as I fly the Malawi Flag in Tokyo, I will perform to the best of my ability,” she said.
Kwimbira is expected to be designated for both women’s and men’s matches during the tournament.
Other high-profile competitions that Kwimbira has handled in the past include the 2019 and 2015 Women’s World Cup and Five Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Kwimbira made history by becoming the first woman to officiate at a Confederation of African Football men’s Senior tournament during the African Nations Championships two months ago, is also earmarked for the 2023 Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Football Association of Malawi head of referees Maxwell Mtonga said: “Kwimbira’s appointment shows that she is highly rated for her character and performance both on and off the pitch.
“The two appointments are very good for her career as well as recognition for Malawi since she will be flying our Flag. As a department, we have always urged other referees to emulate Kwimbira’s character if they are to go places like her.” – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman