| "DENIAL
FROM THE WOMAN I LOVED INSPIRED ME TO BE WHAT I AM TODAY"
“I was sleeping when my phone rang. It was my
vice chairman calling. He told me I was selected as a FIFA referee. I could
not trust my ears, I gave the phone to my father for confirmation, I was
thunderstruck. I still could not believe it,” were the words of Osman Kazi
trying to describe his emotions in an exclusive interview with The Express,
just two days after his selection as a FIFA referee.
He is now one of the seven Tanzanians selected as central referee for
officiating international football matches by FIFA. A composed personality
with a tall stature, calm look and few words, Kazi did work hard in his
career as a player after a suffering a heartbreak from the woman he loved.
He wanted to prove his worth and his abilities as an individual. However, in
the course of time, officiating matches started occupying greater part of
his routine and he decided to adopt it as a career. Having officiated 450
matches in five years, he believes he is now confident to face the World Cup
2006.
The Express:
What is the so special about being a referee?
Kazi:
A referee is like a judge who determines a player’s future. If you do a foul
and I penalize you with the red card then you suffer a setback. That is the
reason why a referee needs to be fair and objective.
The Express:
For how long have you been a referee?
Kazi:
For the past five years, I was on probation in 1999 and just two days ago I
was selected by FIFA. This is the highest grade for referee whereby I can
officiate both national and international matches.
The Express:
How many red cards have you issued so far?
Kazi:
Approximately 60. It is not something I want to remember.
The Express:
Which was the most exciting and challenging match you officiated?
Kazi:
It was last year between the members of parliament of Tanzania and Uganda,
this was exciting but not challenging, my first match was the most
challenging, I was so scared that day, all eyes on me.
The Express:
When you were on the field and all eyes on you, how long did it take for you
to put the whistle in your mouth and actually blow it?
Kazi:
(cringing his eye brows)
It took me a while to pull the whistle out (laughter) I looked at my
assistant on the right then to my assistant on my left (he tries to show it
by action) and I quickly blew the whistle. But I was scared till the fourth
minute and as I was trying to dodge the ball I slipped (he sinks in his
chair lifting his hands up in the air) and with that fall I guess my fear
also went away, the spectators began to scream at me but I was quick to get
up, with confidence this time.
The Express:
What happened at the end of the game?
Kazi:
I was promoted from 3rd grade referee to 2nd grade.
The Express:
What were you doing before you became a referee?
Kazi:
I used to play for Golden Kids in Arusha, third division league.
The Express:
Why the shift?
Kazi:
A woman.
The Express:
Explain…
Kazi:
I had a woman in my life and she walked away from me, she underrated me, she
thought I was nobody and I wanted to prove to her I can do it. I too can
earn fame (with assertiveness in his voice and intense looks on his face)
The Express:
You think you have achieved your goals?
Kazi:
75 percent I have yet to reach to the top.
The Express:
Couldn’t you have done anything else?
Kazi:
My best friend is a referee. During my time of despair, he suggested that I
learn the rules and apply to be a referee, just to keep myself busy. Since I
was playing already I thought I can take this as a career and be famous.
Anyway, I have always thought football to be the most extraordinary game.
The Express:
All for wrong reasons!
Kazi:
(He nods his head) But I have no regrets, it worked out well and now it has
become a part of my life. Every time before I go to bed I religiously read
the rules of the game, just so that I don’t forget them. (Laughter)
The Express:
What does it take to be a referee?
Kazi:
Discipline. One has to know what his responsibilities are. For example,
every match you officiate, members of the FIFA panel are there to assess
you. You are judged on your skills as well as by your attitude and attire.
So when you are on probation you have to make sure that you are in proper
uniform or else you don’t get promoted. (He pauses) Even after you are a
FIFA referee you still have to wear proper uniform.
(laughter)
The Express:
Is there any physical training that you need to do?
Kazi:
Personally I run every day as part of my daily training but for being
nominated into FIFA you need to be tested on your speed. You need to run
minimum of 2700 meters per 12 minutes and sprint run 50 meter per 11 seconds
and 200m per 32 seconds. Physical fitness is equally important for a referee
as it is for a player.
The Express:
Would you consider going back into playing football?
Kazi:
No way. I wouldn’t want to go back to breaking my legs, although had I
followed my heart I would have ended up a player.
The Express:
Do you think you would be more successful as a player?
Kazi:
I don’t know but I am happy being a referee. I feel in control.
The Express:
Since sports is your profession, what do you normally do at your free time?
Kazi:
I like going to the beach and watch the waves. Its very relaxing after all
the hustle bustle on the field.
The Express:
Being in a judging position, have you ever had people trying to influence
you in any way?
Kazi:
I have had people trying to bribe me, but I won’t mention their names. They
would offer me money and other favours but I would just turn them down. Even
if I accept bribe in closed chambers I know God is watching me, again I
can’t be unfaithful to my profession.
The Express:
If you were not into football what do you think you would be doing?
Kazi:
I would be a business man perhaps or may be a farmer, or a contractor.
The Express:
Since you have been both a player and now a referee what do you think of our
football?
Kazi:
We don’t have a strong base. We have many talented people but they are not
well trained from the beginning. Tanzania needs a well structured long term
youth programme and then only we can have a strong national team. This is
what the other countries are doing.
The Express:
What would be a long term youth programme?
Kazi:
You take under 15 team, put them under intensive ten year programme, by the
time they are 25, we can have a strong national team for the next eight to
ten years. This is what FIFA is trying to implement now, its trying to train
youth teams for future.
The Express:
How long do you think will it take Tanzania to go into world Cup?
Kazi:
If we seriously work on from now, ten years
The Express:
How long will it take before you officiate world cup?
Kazi:
Two years, I am in for 2006 if not then 2010. I will keep my fingers
crossed.
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