Diana Murungi: A rising star in a male-dominated realm of FIFA refereeing

BY; BETTY MUJUNGU

Diana Murungi; A determined 29-year-old, female from Fort Portal City,  making waves in the world of sports as a FIFA referee since 2019, proudly holding onto her FIFA badge for an impressive six years.

Her ste

adfast commitment to excellence is evident as she diligently works towards renewing her badge next year.

Diana’s journey into the realm of sports faced considerable hurdles, especially during her childhood when her parents were unsupportive and discouraged her from pursuing a career in the field. Despite these challenges, she emerged resilient and passionate about her chosen path.

Her sports odyssey began at the sports school of Nyakasura Junior in Fort Portal, exposing her to various athletic activities. Over six years, she has not only excelled as a FIFA referee but also demonstrated prowess in playing netball and volleyball during her formative years in primary and secondary school.

Educationally, Diana traversed Nyakasura Junior, Nyakasura School, and Kahinju SS for O’ level, followed by Kibiito SS for the A’ level. Furthering her education, she joined Uganda Pentecostal University in Fort Portal City.

The journey to becoming a sportswoman wasn’t without its challenges, as Diana’s parents initially resisted her involvement in sports, preferring her to focus solely on academics.

“Joining sports at a young age was a challenge for me; my parents initially did not support the idea because they believed it was a waste of time. They wanted me to focus solely on academics, and there were occasions when I had to miss classes to represent my school in sports,” she shared.

However, Diana’s dedication prevailed, and she not only overcame societal expectations but excelled in athletics. In primary six, she proudly represented Uganda at the East African level, competing in the 100 and 400 meters and securing an impressive 3rd position in the latter event.

Diana’s story stands out as a testament to resilience, breaking through barriers, and excelling in a male-dominated profession. As she continues her journey as a FIFA referee, she is not only defying gender norms but also inspiring others to pursue their passions fearlessly.

During her secondary school years, Diana excelled in basketball and netball, reaching the national level. She later ventured into cricket, achieving success at the national level.

Diana’s accomplishments not only showcase her talent but also break the barriers of societal norms, challenging gender stereotypes in the world of sports.

Drawing inspiration from her experiences as a sports enthusiast during her school years, Diana Murungi found a unique passion for becoming a referee.

The spark ignited while representing her schools at the national level when she witnessed numerous women officiating matches.

“While I was actively involved in sports, the aspiration to become a referee took root in my mind when I was at the national level representing my schools. Witnessing numerous women officiating matches during those events served as a powerful inspiration for me,” She said.

Determined to pursue her newfound ambition, Diana took a decisive step during her vacation after senior six in 2014 when Kabarole district hosted a beginner’s referee course.

Despite facing discouragement from her parents, she diligently saved money to attend the one-week course, costing her Shs 50,000. Her commitment and aptitude shone through, as she emerged as the best student among the participants.

Following the successful completion of the beginner’s referee course, Diana’s journey accelerated. In February 2015, FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) appointed her to officiate games at both regional and national levels.

Initially officiating post-primary games in the Mbarara district, she quickly gained experience, consistently delivering stellar performances.

“In 2016, I achieved a significant milestone in my life by receiving a national FUFA badge, marking a pivotal moment in my refereeing career,” Diana proudly states.

Her dedication and exceptional performance did not go unnoticed. In 2017, FUFA extended an invitation for her to attend elite referee courses, typically reserved for top referees at the national level.

This recognition further solidified Diana’s position in the world of refereeing, highlighting her journey from a passionate sports player to a respected and accomplished referee.

Becoming an elite referee at the national level is no easy feat; it requires exceptional performance. These referees are the cream of FUFA, handling high-stakes matches such as those in the Uganda Premier League. It’s worth noting that I was the lone female referee at that prestigious level,” She said.

Diana’s journey as a referee took her from officiating games for FUFA, including the Women’s Elite League, where she began as an assistant referee and later rose to become a center referee. Her consistent and impressive performance caught the attention of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), landing her on the waiting list for referees to receive a FIFA badge in 2019.

Before earning the prestigious FIFA badge, Diana officiated the East African games in Rwanda in 2018, where her performance was assessed by international assessors, earning her recognition.

The culmination of her efforts came in 2019 when she successfully passed the physical fitness test and met other requirements set by FIFA.

“I wasn’t taken aback when I received the FIFA badge because it was a result of my hard work and consistent performance. Nevertheless, attaining and retaining a FIFA badge is no simple task; it demands continuous effort. There’s no assurance that once you acquire a badge, it stays with you indefinitely. FIFA evaluates referees annually, and if performance standards aren’t met, they may revoke the badge,”

Diana stands out as one of the six female FIFA referees in Uganda, and among them, she is one of the two center referees. Furthermore, she proudly holds the distinction of being the only FIFA referee with the badge in the entire Kitara region for both male and female referees.

“I am the only person with a FIFA badge in the whole Kitara region for both male and female referees. I am proud of that, and I want to maintain it,” she declares with determination.

Following her achievement in 2019, Diana actively participated in officiating CECAFA games for women in Tanzania and the CECAFA Under 17 tournament for men in Uganda. Her success led her to Egypt, where she underwent a two-week FIFA referee’s course, excelling in her performance.

Since completing the training, FIFA has consistently appointed Diana to officiate Confederation of African Football (CAF) games and other FIFA-sanctioned international matches, marking her continued success on the global stage.

Her journey continued with officiating international games, including the 2020 World Cup qualifiers for women. In these qualifiers, Diana officiated matches such as Burundi versus Ethiopia, Ethiopia versus Rwanda, and Burundi versus Tanzania, showcasing her growing experience on the global stage.

In 2021, FIFA recognized Diana’s capabilities by appointing her to officiate games organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), a women’s tournament hosted in South Africa.

Notably, she was the only referee selected from outside the region, a testament to her outstanding performance.

“In most regional tournaments, FIFA appoints referees within that region, but I got an opportunity to officiate matches outside my region, indicating that my performance is commendable,” she said.

During the COSAFA tournament, Diana officiated challenging matches, including Eswatini versus Zambia, South Africa versus Namibia, and Zimbabwe versus South Africa. The most demanding game of the tournament, according to Diana, was Zambia versus South Africa, given the exceptional talent present in all the teams.

On the national level, Diana has officiated various FUFA games across different leagues, including the Uganda Premier League, FUFA Big League, Uganda Cup, FUFA Women Super League, and Women’s Elite League.

Despite her achievements, Diana acknowledges facing challenges, particularly in the early stages of her career.

Some individuals initially despised her due to her gender, but over time, as her reputation as an international referee with a FIFA badge grew, such incidents ceased.

“At the onset of my career, there were instances of people despising me. However, I haven’t encountered such attitudes anymore. I take pride in enjoying this professional career, which has evolved positively over time,” she shared.

Being a FIFA referee has brought numerous benefits to Diana, fostering connections and respect across the African continent.

“I have many friends these days across the African continent, I associate with people more than before,” she shares, highlighting the social network she has built through her refereeing career.

Despite initial opposition from her parents, who discouraged her from pursuing a career in sports, Diana has now earned their support and love.

“My parents these days are so supportive because I have brought many medals home; they have seen my achievements,” she says.

Diana’s success as a referee has not only garnered familial support but has also bridged the gap that once existed between her passion and her parent’s expectations.

While refereeing may not be a daily income job, Diana emphasizes that the games she has officiated have provided her with opportunities to earn income. She has used this income to support her parents and engage in various income-generating activities.

Additionally, her excellence in sports from primary to university allowed her to study on a scholarship, further underlining the multifaceted benefits of her sports journey.

Beyond her role as a FIFA referee, Diana is an entrepreneur and runs the Heavenly Sugarcane juice business in Fort Portal City. In addition to her business ventures, she contributes to sports development as a netball coach for Uganda Pentecostal University and Fort Portal SS.

Accumulating awards and medals has been a consistent outcome of Diana’s refereeing career, both at local, national, and international levels.

Looking forward, Diana dreams of officiating World Cup matches, fueled by her commitment to excellence and physical fitness.