Mikia Kalati
NETBALL umpire Chakatsa Lephole is over the moon after being promoted to officiate at the highest level of the sport.
This follows his impressive officiating at the recent under-21 Netball World Cup in Botswana.
Lephole this week told the Lesotho Times that after the youth tournament he was called for an assessment which he passed with flying colours.
“I was not aware that my performances were being monitored until I was called for an assessment which I passed,” Lephole said, adding, after that he was tasked with officiating two games, the first between Samoa and the Cock Islands and the other between South Africa and Jamaica. All sides are ranked in the top ten in the world.
“It was then that a decision was made that I be upgraded to the highest level of officiating and be given the International Umpire’s Award.”
He said as a result, he could now officiate Commonwealth Games, the Senior World Cup, Test Series as well as well as the Quad Games.
He added he was the first African male official to get the recognition, adding South Africa only had female umpires in the same category.
“It took days to sink in that I am now at that level and even now I still find it hard to believe.
“I kept going to the International Netball Federation’s (INF) website to make sure that what I was seeing was real.
“It is something I will cherish forever and I have to continue performing well because I will be assessed again after four years where I will be demoted if I fail and be endorsed again if I pass.”
Lesotho Netball Association Public Relations Officer, Matšepo Mohau lauded Lephole for his achievements.
“It’s an achievement that we celebrate with him as an association that works with him.
“We are very proud of him and hope that he maintains the same standards,” Mohau said.
