Namibia hockey star Siyabonga Martins has become the first Namibian man promoted to the International Hockey Federation’s panel of umpires for indoor hockey.
“I am the only man, and for the women, we have two very promising umpires: Vennessa Pienaar and Irene Handura. They have umpired at the regional indoor championship.
“I hope they get sufficient points at the next tournament to get promoted to the panel of umpires,” he says.
The FIH International Panel of Umpires for Indoor Hockey is the foundational level of international officiating recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
It identifies, trains, and appoints qualified umpires for continental and international indoor tournaments, serving as a pathway for career advancement to higher panels based on performance.
Martins says he has co-umpired at various indoor tournaments in the past.
“My ultimate goal is to umpire at a world cup. I’m trying hard, because that has been part of the hard work I’ve been putting in behind the scenes, especially in tournaments outside the country,” he says.
Martins says he has only retired from playing in the Premier League. However, he still plays in the second-tier division.
“My sticks are not quite hung up. I am playing, but not in the Premier League as I only retired from playing internationally.
“Playing internationally requires a lot more. Locally, I’ve gone a tier down. I last played in the Premier League two years ago. I must say playing in the lower tier has been going quite well.”
Playing a tier down is where Martins says he wants to plough back by sharing his experience with the younger players who wish to play for the national teams.
“The FIH panel has different tiers you have to officiate from your local, continental and international tiers. That is how you move up. The responsibility is that now I have to do more tournaments and higher tournaments for different associations,” he says.
Martins says he hopes to spread his wings across the globe.
The former hockey star says indoor hockey has not grown to his satisfaction.
Outdoor hockey is more common, while indoor hockey is also quite an expensive sport.
“About four African countries are playing indoor hockey. It’s like we have to wait every two years to get promoted, or to have the next African Indoor Championship.”
Martins says Africa must start promoting indoor hockey extensively, despite the costs.
“It’s not like picking up a football and playing. You need the equipment and facilities if you want to compete internationally, or you have to travel to the facilities to compete.
“I will work with the national association by discussing the latest rules of the game,” he says about his aspirations.
“I will also help the local umpires and ensure the national body has someone who will assess umpires. The idea is to make sure we have our umpires promoted to both regional and continental level.”
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