Nthaga told MmegiSport that being nominated means growth and that her sacrifices are being noticed and rewarded. “Being nominated once again for the award is truly an honour. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion I have for my sport. This recognition goes beyond just me. It represents the countless hours of effort and sacrifices, it symbolises growth, the support from my association and loved ones,” she said. Nthaga said she hopes to pass on her inspiration to other women in sport, especially officials. One of the highlights of Nthaga’s career was when she passed the advanced rules examination, marking a significant step in her journey towards achieving a Blue Badge umpire. “I am grateful for the acknowledgement and excited to continue pushing boundaries and making an impact,” Nthaga said.
For her part, Poane said Nthaga and Okatch inspire her, and she has seen the amount of work they have put in. “The achievements they have had in such a short space of time (are inspiring). So, just to be amongst them is a great honour,” Poane said. Last year, Poane officiated at two of the biggest events, the Roland Garros Grand Slam and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Okatch said it was an amazing feeling to have been nominated for the award. She said it means a lot to her as it again confirms and affirms that her efforts do not go unnoticed, and that alone is enough. Okatch also officiated at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “I found out about my nomination last week when I landed in Thailand, where I was officiating in the Champions Cup, a new competition for 3x3 basketball. I was also there for training for referee instructors. I was recently appointed as a FIBA 3X3 referee instructor. There are only 10 of us and I am the only and first ever from Africa,” she said.
