Sebako, Vilander level up refereeing journey
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday July 6, 2026 06:00
Vilander and Sebako have been recognised as World Athletics Referees Bronze Level. Sebako becomes the first woman in Botswana to attain the status. The duo joins the ranks of some of the top-ranked local referees like Thomas Ndazila, who is the highest-ranked referee in Botswana at silver level, whilst Patrick Moesi and Kenneth Kikwe are bronze-level referees. The two narrated a journey that is, step-by-step, taking them closer to the apex of athletics coaching. Born 48 years ago in Francistown, Sebako was a track athlete, but never made it to the national level competition. She told MmegiSport that she represented Molefi Senior Secondary School and Serowe College of Education as a member of the relay teams. “I am a teacher by profession, which means my involvement in sport was through Botswana Primary School Sport Association (BOPSSA) competitions. “We used to have athletics and ball sport seasons; that was when School Sport existed in government schools. During competition season, we were allocated duties, so my role was to be cricket team manager and athletics referee. One thing that attracted me to officiating is to assist in moulding the future of athletes through the rules of the game, being part of the growth of an athlete by showing them what is required of them,” she explained. Sebako, a teacher at Kumakwane Primary School, revealed that she became fully engaged in athletics in 2022 after being part of the Gaborone International Meet (GIM), and she was encouraged to enrol for an officiating course in Zimbabwe. She said the motivation was that there were fewer women athletics referees in the country, and in August 2022, she started the course. Sebako explained that 11 locals pursued the course, with 10 passing, whilst one failed to make the grade. “My first major event was the 2023 FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix where only qualified referees were engaged. I have been part of the event since its inception. That was followed by the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Track and Field Series, Cross Country events, and I also officiated during marathons. I officiated at international competitions, such as the 2026 Debswana World Athletics Relays and the Lefika International Relays,” she said. Sebako noted that there is a lot to learn in officiating because the rules change all the time, and there is a need to keep up. She said in March 2026, she was nominated to be one of the four officials to do the bronze level course.
She said there were two women and two men, adding that their male counterparts had attempted the course before, whilst it was a first try for the women. “Remember, this was happening while we were preparing for Debswana World Athletics Relays; it was an event after another. There was no time for us to meet, each of us due to different reasons. Ndazila made sure that we attended online lessons. I was revising with a group that was based in Zimbabwe; they assisted me a lot. My dream is to see myself attaining the gold level status. I am going to stay four years as a bronze referee before I can be allowed to push for the silver level badge,” Sebako said. Her advice to other referees is that anything is possible as long as they are determined; highlighting that obstacles will be there, including rejection, but that should not deter them.
“I am grateful to BAA for giving me an opportunity and opening doors to women. Let us not make things difficult for women due to the position we hold,” she added.
For his part, Bokspits-born Vilander said he has played sport, such as karate, cricket, football, and athletics, until he reached Tlokweng College of Education in 2007.
According to Vilander, he focused on athletics due to the Sports View Runners Club chairperson, Glody Dube, who was his roommate at college. “Dube used to tease me by passing remarks that I should quit football, and we should form an athletics club. Like they say, the rest is history. I started taking athletics seriously in 2008 with Mr D, as we call Dube. My interest was more pushed by volunteering during athletics events,” he said.
“I then met Tshepo Kelaotswe and California Molefhe, who were in the national team by then. I started following them and studied national teams. That is when I decided to shift focus fully into athletics. I officiated and coached during BOPSSA competitions.” Vilander, a teacher at Galaletsang Primary School in Gaborone, said things started to unfold during BOPSSA competitions, where he met the likes of Selebatso Keabetswe and Busani Segweni.
He also had an opportunity to mingle with national team coach Chilume Ntshwarang during Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) camps. “Those gentlemen played a huge role in my career. In 2010/2011, I was officiating, but I was unqualified. Mogomotsi Otsetswe introduced me to Kids Athletics and a National Technical Officiating Clinic in 2013; that was the beginning of my officiating. I met other BAA referees such as Kikwe, Ndazila, Moesi, and Eric Mandawu, to mention a few. I was curious about the Starter’s role, and I glued myself to Kikwe and Windy Dintwa, who were the national starters then,” Vilander said. In 2011, BAA introduced the Timetronics Timing System, and that curiously drove Vilander towards the ‘blue’ machines, especially the Start Information System.
“I picked the manuals and read about the system and went to observe as a volunteer during competitions, until a day came when Kikwe decided to give me a chance to start a 5000m race. That was when I felt excited, and I loved it. From that day, I never looked back. Under his (Kikwe) mentorship, I learnt a lot quickly. I also got closer to Kelaotswe, who was the Race Timer, and also gained a lot of knowledge from him; even today, he is still teaching me,” he said. In 2020, Vilander passed the Technical Officials Education and Certification System (TOECS) Level One course, and his first international break was in 2018 as a Starter at the Region V Games.
He, however, said that being a referee is not easy, as it needs time, commitment and endless hard work. Vilander added there is a need to practise and know how to interpret the Competition and Technical Rules.
Additionally, he said there is nothing different from officiating in Botswana and other competitions; the only difference is the level of competition.
The 42-year-old Vilander has officiated at Region V Games, Debswana World Athletics Relays, all editions of FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, Africa Youth Games, CUCSA Games, COSSASA athletics. The Bokspits-native is proud of having started the 4x400m Mixed Relay final when USA set the Championship record during the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone. “In May 2026, I sat for my World Athletics Bronze Level Referee examinations and passed. Being at this level means I have much work to do. I am now eligible to officiate in National and Regional Competition Management positions. “That means planning events advice event organisers on technical aspects. I am mentoring a number of referees, and I am working to elevate a woman starter, Sherrine Barrows,” he explained. Vilander said his dream is to one day get an invite to officiate at the World Athletics Championships, even if it means levelling sand in the horizontal jumps pit.