Bernadettar Kwimbira off to Olympics
Malawi’s top female referee, Bernadettar Kwimbira-Mzika, has been tipped to succeed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The games are scheduled to run from August 5 to 21.
The Fifa assistant referee left for Brazil on Wednesday. She was seen off by Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Executive Committee Member, Daudi Mtanthiko and Referees’ Development Officer, Maxwell Mtonga, at Chileka Airport in Blantyre.
Mtonga said Fam had high hopes in Kwimbira- Mzika.
“It does not surprise us that Fifa rates her highly. No wonder, she always delivers. Throughout her career, she has been outstanding and she is eager to learn and ask where she does not understand,” he said.
Mtanthiko advised Kwimbira-Mzika to maintain her work-ethic and fly Malawi’s flag.
“The Summer Olympics are huge and a lot of people from across the world will be following the games. It is our wish that you should maintain your professionalism to impress all stakeholders. We do not doubt your abilities, and we wish you all the best,” he said.
Kwimbira-Mzika promised to handle the games professionally.
“It is always my dream to officiate at the highest and this is an opportunity, which I cannot mess up,” she said.
Kwimbira-Mzika becomes the second Malawian to officiate at Olympics after Bester Kalombo, who was on duty at Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
Last year, the Zomba-based referee was the first Malawian to officiate at Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.
She has been officiating for 14 years and her international career spans nine years.
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