Shamirah Nabadda is one of the 89 match officials from 45 countries that is officiating in the Olympic Football Tournaments in Paris in 2024. It should be noted that the football games have already started although the Olympics formally begin on the 26th of July 2024. There are 21 referees, 42 assistant referees, 20 video assistant referees (VAR), and six support referees.
Along with Diana Chikotesha from Zambia and Bouchra Karboubi and Jermoumi Fatiha from Morocco, she is one of four female match officials that are from Africa. The focus of discussions over Uganda’s participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, tends to be on the athletes fighting for gold and glory.
However, Shamirah Nabadda representing Uganda will be representing the Pearl of Africa off the pitch. In Wednesday’s Group B opener, which saw Iraq overcome Ukraine 2-1, Nabadda was the fourth official.
How did she start her Refereeing Career?
Shamirah Nabadda became the youngest female centre referee to ever officiate a top-tier Ugandan football match at the age of 23. This was after she was chosen to officiate in the crucial game between KCCA and Masavu FC which was fighting to stay in the Uganda Premier League in 2018.
Since then, she has officiated a number of top flight league games since her breakthrough and was chosen to officiate at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League and the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations.
Football Interest and Academic Journey
The famed Nabadda graduated from Bishop Stuart University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. However, her football career began during her secondary education at Masaka S.S. Nabadda was part of the school team while there. She enjoyed playing football, but she was also very interested in the regulations, which frequently confused her teammates.
Later on, she joined Western United which was playing in the women’s top flight league. Abbas Sendyowa, a close family friend and former FUFA delegate for Mbarara, suggested that she enroll in a refereeing course at the FUFA technical facility in Njeru in 2015.
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Shamirah Nabadda started officiating low-level football events when she was still a player for Western United. She had made a name for herself in the sport by 2016, officiating in both the elite women’s league and the Copa Coca-Cola schools competition.
Present day status and Accolades
She has had several noteworthy turning points in his career as a player and referee. Her present position at the 2024 Olympics highlights her pioneering influence in Ugandan football for female referees. Besides Shamirah Nabadda’s niche is one of commitment, enthusiasm, and breaking down obstacles as she continues to represent her nation on the international arena.
