I have always done my best - Pavaza Referee of the year remains level headed Otjiwarongo-based referee Jackson Pazava is delighted with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Referee of the Year award. NFA.ORGFootball referee Jackson Pazava says winning the 2016 Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Referee of the Year award last week serves as motivation for him.
Pavaza won the award at the recent Namibia Sports Awards held in Windhoek.
He believes the award will inspire him to chase his dream of officiating at the African Cup of Nations and possibly the World Cup in years to come.
“I have always done my best on the pitch and for me to have this award drives me to deliver more and do what I love.
“It is something special for me and I will always cherish this for years to come. I dream of being at bigger tournaments like the AFCON or the World Cup and I keep my dream alive and I know it means hard work and more games to be assessed and recommended,” Pavaza says.
He adds, though, that the dormant Premier League is a setback for his career as he needs to do well at home before getting those international appointments.
“CAF and FIFA consider how active you are locally and with our league indefinitely off, one cannot say. I can only hope and pray that we get the ball rolling soon so that we are still considered to share our knowledge of the game abroad and learn more to improve the game as home as well.”
Pavaza says local referees have been summoned by the NFA to attend a FIFA Member Association (MA) referees course next week and he is looking forward to it.
“It will be good for us to come together again as we start with a fitness test on Sunday in Windhoek and then from Monday we attend classes up to Friday, to update our knowledge and see how far we have come and can go.”
The Otjiwarongo-based Pavaza thanked international match commissioner and NFA honorary president John Muinjo, Otjozondjupa governor Otto Iipinge, Professor Tjiveze, the NPL, NFA and family and friends for their inspiration.