Windhoek, January 31 – In the high stakes world of volleyball where every spike and block hinges on split second decisions, Namibian referee Ihula Tobias Naushanga has built a reputation as a steady hand at the net since 2023. For years, the committed official has watched over national courts with precision earning respect from players and coaches alike. But now his whistle is tuned for an international performance.
Naushanga’s breakthrough came at the 2025 Zone VI Senior Club Championship in Polokwane, South Africa. In the middle of the crowd’s cheers and the thump of volleyballs, his sharp calls and calm attitude stood out. That performance didn’t go unnoticed. The Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) spotting a diamond in the rough nominated him for one of volleyball’s most elite training grounds: the CAVB International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) in Cairo, Egypt.
Naushanga is one of Namibia’s best selected candidates for the prestigious CAVB International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) in Cairo, Egypt. From 01-10 February 2026, he will train alongside top African referees in the Egyptian capital , honing advanced refereeing techniques to raise officiating standards across the continent, under the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB. It’s a sign not just to his skills but to the NVF’s faith in his ability to elevate the sport continent wide.
For Naushanga, a national level mainstay this is more than a course it’s a launchpad. “Years of dedication on local and national courts have prepared me for this,” he said. In a sport where referees are the overlooked guardians of fair play, his journey from Windhoek gyms to Cairo’s international arena underscores Namibia’s rising volleyball pulse.
As Egypt’s pyramids rise in the background next month, Naushanga’s presence will signal Africa’s deepening volleyball ambitions. Back home, the NVF beams with pride knowing one of their own could soon officiate at the world’s highest levels.
Reporter Martha Jeremia
