Dorothy Okatch

“I cannot stress this enough, no one wants a referee who doubts themselves and looks unsure on the court. They won’t have confidence in your abilities, therefore be confident on the court, fake it if you have to, and never look weak.”

“My advice to you is to enter into officiating knowing that you have to dedicate time to your growth, be committed to learning new things, and watching competitions. The most important element which I often struggle with is confidence.”

“I kept on going back every weekend after that game because I enjoyed being able to provide a platform for fair play.”

“Your strength as a female is undermined and not praised enough, but I come to tell you that your strength will get you to the endline and beyond. Believe in it, believe in yourself, do not lose yourself now. Stay, be patient, shut your ears and put in the work.”

“The politics around it is plenty. Gender bias exists and being sidelined happens. However, none of this is reason enough to abandon your passion. Rather it must fuel you to push harder.”

“The journey in sport, especially for females, never appears to be one that is easy.”

“It shows me that when I take a stand in life, people are going to stop and listen to me. I shouldn't just let them walk all over me; I should have a whistle in life, to stop the whole commotion around me and make my call on what's going to happen next.”

“When I blow my whistle, people are going to listen to me.”

“I went through hell and back, but I can now can be responsible for changing the life of somebody so they don't have to go through what I went through.”

“If you were looking for me, the basketball court is where you would find me.”

“I did not know we were refugees until I got to junior secondary school.”

“I would let them know that the road may be long and tough, but at the end of it all, it is more than worth it. I would let them know that they have to just be true to themselves and set a goal for where they want to get to if the playing field was levelled. After they imagine that, they should put in the effort and do what they can to make it happen.”

“I believe women athletes deserve equal media coverage to their male counterparts. Our stories should be told—not just stories of struggle but also of success and achievement. This would inspire others and show them that they too can reach the top.”

“In Botswana, there was one memorable day when the entire back page of the sports section featured only female athletes: a field athlete, a referee, and an administrator. This deliberate choice made us visible and celebrated our achievements. They were celebrating our achievements.I believe any young girl or woman who saw that could envision herself in those roles.”

“We need more women involved in various capacities within the sports industry. This not only helps us perform at our best but also reinforces that we belong. It reduces the need to fight as hard as we once did for acknowledgment and recognition.”

“Media should avoid sexualising female athletes and focus on their talent rather than their appearance or how they are dressed. Representation should highlight what we contribute to our sport.”

“I want African girls to know and believe that they can achieve success even in fields where they don’t see others who look like them. They can step in and pave the way for many other girls to follow.”

“Being an African woman, I believe we face many unique obstacles.”