Female referees on the field, Sudanese women proving themselves in Blue Nile State

13 June 2026

As Sudanese people clamour to find electricity to watch the World Cup, something extraordinary is taking place in the world of football in the restive Blue Nile State: Sudanese women are becoming referees in local matches. Something unheard of before, pioneers like Mazza Kamel are now referees for local matches in Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile State. While her family opposed the idea at first, they gradually learnt to accept her sporting ambitions, and now she hopes other women will follow suit. “The presence of women on sports fields has helped change many prevailing perceptions, and I consider it a positive development that deserves support and encouragement,” says Mohamed Aydam, a member of the development committee of the Sudan Football Association.