The Sunday News
Paul Mundandi, Sunday News Correspondent
Former Christian Brothers College schoolboy, Bulawayo-born Kieron Watson dreams of being the first Zimbabwean referee to handle matches at the Fifa World Cup.
Watson was recently in the United States where he took up refereeing from November until February.
“I was in America and I am very excited by the chance they gave me to take part in my beloved game. I had a chance to be assistant referee on a number of occasions.
“I am now in Sussex (England) and I am making ways to continue with my refereeing. I still want to make a mark and my dream still lives on. I hope very soon I will be a Class One referee.
“The Copa Coca-Cola games opened ways for me and one day I might be the first Zimbabwean to make it to the top. “I want to be the first Zimbabwean to referee the World Cup final. I believe the sky is the limit for me.
“A lot has been happening in football and if a small nation like Iceland can bring a shocker by beating England, I also feel I can still make it to the World Cup and shine for my country one day. I have already registered as a referee here.”
Watson who did his Class Two last year has already registered for the same class in UK.
“They don’t work in classes here but they work from grade 9 to 1 (1 being the best) Zifa still has not given me formal results clarifying if I went to Class 2 from December last year. I only have documentation proving Class 3. Therefore I have been granted grade 6. I would have been grade 4 if Zifa had given me my results. It’s irritating because I paid to do the fitness test and exams last year but we didn’t get the results” said the 17-year-old.
Brighton Mudzamiri was the only Zimbabwean referee to officiate at the World Cup but as an assistant referee.
Watson who was the first choice goalkeeper at his school shunned the chance to shine between the goalposts and instead opted for refereeing.
Born and bred in Bulawayo he used to officiate matches in the high density suburbs of the City of Kings. Watson was encouraged to pursue refereeing by Emmanuel Dhlodhlo his former coach.
“At school I always officiated until my teacher urged me to take it seriously and went for a course under the watchful eye of a Michael Phiri and Kefas Chokuda and attained my Level Three,” he added.
His father, Wayne has also been a pillar of strength, buying him air tickets to travel the world in quest for his dream.
