The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda , Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean rugby referee, Shemeah Mushiribindi was recently honoured at the Pumas where he was named the Sevens Referee of the Year.
It was the second year in a row that Mushiribindi, who has been based in South Africa since the beginning of 2016, had walked away with the same accolade.
The 25-year-old said he was appreciative of the respect bestowed upon him by the Pumas Rugby Referees Association.
Mushiribindi’s desire is now to become part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series panel of referees, something he is really working hard towards achieving.
He is also aspiring to become part of the World Rugby fifteens panel and officiate at a Rugby World Cup.
“I am so grateful and honoured to win this award. It motivates me to look into going to the HSBC Sevens panel of referees, I am working towards that goal. My other wish is to be in the World Rugby 15s panel and ref at a World Cup,’’ Mushiribindi said.
The year has been yet another amazing one for Mushiribindi who was part of a panel of referees for the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in Kimberly in what was the second year that he has been appointed to the schoolboy rugby tournament.
In September, the Zimbabwean referee was part of the referees who handled the Varsity Sevens in Durban. During the same month, he also did duty at the South African Interprovincial Sevens staged in Potchefstroom.
At the moment, Mushiribindi is part of a South African Rugby Referees Association’s Academy panel which has over 60 match officials.
— @Mdawini_29
