Zambian referee Diana Chikotesha has graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Sports from the University of Zambia. During its 53rd graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Zambia’s highest learning institution awarded the honor to the FIFA-accredited match official.
However, this is not her first postgraduate honor, as she also holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Rockview University. Chikotesha currently works as a lecturer in Physical Education at the same institution.
“I started my master’s program in 2020; it’s a two-year program, but I am graduating this year. It has not been easy but I told myself that it’s better to be late than absent and finally, I will graduate,” Chikotesha told BolaNews.
Before earning her postgraduate degrees, she completed a Diploma in Civic Education and Religious Studies at Massi Computing College. Chikotesha later upgraded to a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Civic Education before going after her master’s degrees.
Back-to-Back achievements for Chikotesha
The 2023 COSAFA Best Female Coach has been making significant strides both on and off the pitch, setting a benchmark for young girls aspiring to enter the world of women’s football.
She etched her name into the history books this year when she became the first female on-pitch referee to officiate a men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) final in Abijan. Chikotesha played the role of a second assistant referee in the 2023 AfCON final showdown between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Her repertoire as a match official extends to officiating in major tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the CAF Women’s Champions League, and the Women’s AfCON.
She expressed her delight in obtaining her second Master’s degree by sharing some thoughts via her Facebook page, celebrating this momentous achievement.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts,” the match official wrote. “Another Masters in physical education and sports. God, you are faithful; you deserve the praise.”
Chikotesha’s next significant assignment is the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she joins 88 other referees tasked with overseeing the quadrennial showpiece.
Zambia’s women’s team will face off against the United States, Germany, and Australia in the upcoming tournament, scheduled to run from July 25th to August 10th.
READ ALSO: How Zambia’s referee Diana Chikotesha managed to obtain two master’s degrees
