The Sunday News
Sports Correspondent
LOCAL squash referee Lucky Mlilo’s star continues to shine after racking up a string of appointments that will see him preside over several tournaments across Africa.
Despite starting his refereeing career only three years ago, Mlilo’s aptitude has seen him being the tournament referee for several high profile events that include the All Africa Championships, Squash World Championships and Professional Squash Association tournaments across the world.
Mlilo, who is also the executive chairman of Squash Racquets Association of Zimbabwe, is billed to officiate at the Zambia Open next weekend. He will also be the head referee at the All Africa Junior Championships which are scheduled for Botswana in April next year.
He has also been earmarked for a PSA tournament set for Namibia in the coming year.
The Zambia Squash open will run from 20 to 23 November and will see Mlilo also hosting a workshop for aspiring squash referees in that country.
The All Africa Junior championships will run from 30 March to 4 April next year in Gaborone.
“I am looking forward to the tournaments and officiating at various tournaments will sharpen my skills and enable me to inch closer to being a world referee. I think the schedule could be busier next year as there are likely to be call ups for me to officiate at various tournaments,” he said.
Mlilo had been scheduled to officiate at the Lagos International Squash Classic held in Nigeria early this month but could not attend the event due to work commitments.
The All Africa Junior Championships usually have between seven and eight countries taking part with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Egypt and Mauritius being some of the regulars at the annual event.
Mlilo, however, said they could be more teams as countries have the liberty of bringing in more players to participate in team and individual events.
This year’s Junior Championships were held in August in Windhoek, Namibia and Mlilo was also the tournament referee.
The Squash Federation of Africa (Southern Region) vice-president is currently a national referee according to World Squash Federation regulations and is now aiming at attaining the regional referee status before climbing higher to being a world referee.
Mlilo bemoaned the few number of squash referees in Africa with South Africa having about 10 officials while Egypt has less than 10 despite being one of the top squash playing nations on the continent.
“There is need to have more referees and hopefully in Zambia the participants who will take part in the workshop prior to the tournament will pursue officiating with more vigour,’’ said Mlilo.
“Rules in the sport change regularly and for one to keep abreast they have to attend the biennial world referees conferences as one is continually assessed to ensure they are still be to officiate at certain levels,” he said.
In squash practical assessments are used to upgrade referees to a higher level.
