Kasheeta gets N$31k backing for referee course
CAVB-certified Namibian beach volleyball referee Ndinelago “Ndina” Kasheeta has received N$31 350 in financial support to attend the International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) in Dakar, Senegal, from 6 to 14 August.
Deutscher Turn- und Sportverein (DTS) Beach Volleyball handed over flight tickets valued at N$21 350 to Kasheeta in Windhoek on Tuesday, while the Lück family contributed a further N$10 000 towards her accommodation and catering.
Kasheeta was officially invited to attend the course alongside fellow Namibian referee candidate Abiatar Andreas.
The course is organised by the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) to strengthen the continent’s pool of officials capable of refereeing beach volleyball competitions at continental and international level.
Candidates will undergo theoretical and practical training in line with International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) standards.
The IRCC will be staged alongside a high-performance coaches’ seminar and the second CAVB Beach Volleyball Youth Development Cup as part of an integrated programme aimed at developing officials, coaches and young players.
The Youth Development Cup will run from 8 to 14 August and feature 14 youth teams, with equal opportunities provided to boys and girls.
The competition will also provide young African players with international exposure ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will take place from 31 October to 13 November and become the first Olympic sporting event staged on African soil.
Continental pathway
The Dakar programme continues Kasheeta’s continental refereeing journey after she and Simon Nakapanda became Namibia’s first beach volleyball referee candidates at last year’s IRCC in Banjul, The Gambia, as reported by this publication.
Kasheeta achieved a group two ranking at the course, while Nakapanda was placed in group three.
At the time, Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) president Tobias Eden Mwatelulo said they had completed the theoretical component and required practical exposure at international competitions to advance further in the certification process.
Kasheeta has since gained that exposure at several regional events, including the CAVB Zone Six Beach Volleyball Tour leg in Camps Bay, South Africa, last year.
She also officiated at the Zone Six African Nations Championship qualification tournament and the third leg of the Zone Six Tour in Maputo, Mozambique, earlier this year.
Looking ahead to the trip, Kasheeta expressed gratitude for the support.
“I am at a loss for words and excited at the same time. I deeply thank the Lück family and DTS and appreciate what they are doing for volleyball in Namibia. This is not just for me, but for beach volleyball in the country,” she said.
Investment in officiating
DTS Beach Volleyball vice-chairperson Simone von Wietersheim said the club supported Kasheeta because of her continued involvement in officiating and volleyball development.
“We support Ndina because she is one of the driving forces behind high-standard beach volleyball in the country,” she said.
“She is committed to improving her officiating, is involved in referee and volleyball development and has made the effort to attend many national and international competitions over the years,” said Von Wietersheim.
“This helps keep our local competitions at a high level and move the sport forward.”
Teja Lück said the family’s contribution was intended to support Kasheeta’s work at club and national level.
“We need people like her to develop our sport at club and national level. Ndina is determined and eager to make beach volleyball a recognised and successful sport in Namibia,” Lück said.
“That is why we, as a family with beach volleyball close to our hearts, gladly support her.”
Mwatelulo described the investment in Kasheeta’s participation as an important step in the federation’s efforts to develop qualified technical officials.
“DTS Beach Volleyball’s investment in the referee attending the IRCC is a landmark for the sport,” he said.
“[DTS and the Lück family’s] commitment to developing technical officials aligns with the NVF’s vision of building international excellence. We sincerely thank them for making this milestone possible.”
