Kenyan referees to officiate at Tokyo Olympics

Centre referee Davies Omweno (centre) and assistants Mary Njoroge and Gilbert Cheruiyot officiate the Kenyan Premier League U20 championship between Mathare United FC and Gor Mahia Youth at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, August 26, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Assistant referees Mary Njoroge and Gilbert Cheruiyot will officiate the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan.

The two Kenyan referees were selected by FIFA on Friday and will be in charge during the men and women’s football matches at the world games set to start in July 23 to August 8.

Common faces in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, the two top referees are part of the 99 officials selected by FIFA from 51 countries.

FIFA appointed 25 center referees, 50 assistant referees, 20 VAR officials and four support referees for the Tokyo Games.

Heading into the Tokyo assignments, both Cheruiyot and Njoroge have been heavily involved in other international assignments.

Earlier this year, Cheruiyot officiated in the 2021 Total Africa Nations Championships quarterfinals match between Mali and Congo in January.

Assistant Referee Mary Njoroge. [Courtesy]

On the other hand, Njoroge’s star has also continued to rise in the male-dominated field.

In April, Njoroge officiated in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage match pitting Cameroon’s Coton Sport against Zambia’s Napsa Stars.

She has the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup as well as the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in her resume.

Even though no Kenyan football team has ever made it to the Olympics, the two referees will represent Kenya as officials.