Two Walvis Bay women have been recognised among the nominees for the Umpire/Referee of the Year category at the 22nd Namibia Annual Sport Awards (NASA), following amendments to the 2026 shortlist.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Judge Britt Adonis-Byl and Football Referee Antsino “Di Maria” Twanyanyukwa have both made their mark on the international sporting stage, representing Namibia in their respective disciplines.
Adonis-Byl, a pioneering Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG)-certified Rhythmic Gymnastics Judge, made history as Namibia’s first Rhythmic Gymnastics Judge to officiate at senior level at the 42nd Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Frankfurt, Germany. She also became Namibia’s first judge at the Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, further strengthening the country’s presence in international gymnastics.
Her inclusion in the NASA shortlist follows a review of the adjudication matrix scores by the awards committee, which added four nominees across three categories to ensure accuracy, fairness and integrity in the selection process.
Twanyanyukwa, meanwhile, has continued to build her reputation as a Football Referee on the continental stage. She officiated at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, including the match between Cameroon and Mali. In 2025, she also refereed the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match between Morocco and Nigeria.
Their nominations place two Walvis Bay officials among the contenders in a category that recognises the important role referees and judges play in ensuring fairness and upholding standards in sport.
The revised Umpire/Referee of the Year shortlist comprises Adonis-Byl for gymnastics, Emily Durand for the Namibia Aquatic Federation, Ingo Oosthuizen for Martial Arts Namibia and Patrick Esterhuizen for boxing.
Meanwhile two additional nominees in the Sports Journalist of the Year and Sportsman of the Year with a Disability category. Hileni Matheus of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has been added to the Sports Journalist of the Year category, while Rooi Jerome Jeromuis of the Namibia National Paralympic Committee joins the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability shortlist.
The NASA Committee said it remained committed to a transparent and credible awards process and thanked sports federations, media houses and other stakeholders for their continued support.
The recognition of the two coastal women highlights Walvis Bay’s contribution to Namibian sport beyond the field of play, with both officials earning opportunities to represent the country at major international competitions.
By Rudi Bowe
