Zamzam al Hadhrami pioneers women’s football refereeing in Oman

Driven by a passion for sport, Zamzam al Hadhrami has built her career in football refereeing, a field that demands knowledge, confidence, quick decision-making and the ability to remain composed under pressure. What began as an interest gradually developed into a commitment to establishing herself in a field where women were less widely represented.
Her journey took an important step in 2016, when she participated in the women’s futsal league. The experience strengthened her determination to develop professionally, followed by her participation in the Amateur World Cup qualifiers in Muscat in 2018, which provided further experience in a competitive environment.
For al Hadhrami, refereeing involves far more than managing a match. A referee must remain impartial, make decisive calls and ensure that the game is conducted fairly, often with only seconds to assess a situation.
Entering the field presented challenges, particularly because women’s participation in refereeing was less common. Rather than allowing these obstacles to discourage her, she focused on improving her technical knowledge, physical fitness and personal abilities.
“I had to prove myself through my work and performance, not words,” she says, reflecting on her early experiences.
She believes consistency and continuous learning are essential to building credibility in sport. Every match brings new situations that help a referee develop confidence, judgement and the ability to handle pressure.

Alongside her refereeing career, al Hadhrami works as a certified sports trainer at the Ministry of Social Development, a role that has broadened her understanding of athletes and their needs.
Training has taught her how to communicate with different groups, motivate participants and help them develop their abilities. In turn, refereeing has strengthened her impartiality, discipline and capacity to make decisions under pressure.
She sees the two roles as complementary, allowing her to understand sport from the perspectives of both participants and officials. Her work as a trainer also gives her an opportunity to contribute to the development of sporting skills among children and young people, helping them discover their potential and build confidence through physical activity.
As women become more visible in football officiating, al Hadhrami believes professionalism and performance are key to changing perceptions. She has observed greater acceptance of women in the field as players and clubs recognise their commitment and abilities.
For her, one of the most rewarding aspects of her journey is the possibility of inspiring younger generations. When girls tell her they hope to become footballers, coaches or referees, she sees how visibility can expand their understanding of what is possible.
Her participation in the 2016 women’s futsal league remains an important milestone, while the 2018 Amateur World Cup qualifiers in Muscat gave her valuable experience in a different competitive setting. Yet she considers her continued development, alongside her work in sports training, equally significant.

Looking ahead, Al Hadhrami hopes to reach higher levels in refereeing, contribute to Omani sport and support the development of more female officials and athletes. She also wants women to have greater opportunities across sporting disciplines, whether as players, referees, coaches or administrators.
Her message to young Omani women is to remain committed to their ambitions, even when the first steps seem difficult.
“Do not let the difficulty of the beginning become a reason to give up. Start, learn, develop yourself and be patient with the journey,” she says.
Through her work on the pitch and as a trainer, Al Hadhrami hopes to make the path clearer for future generations of Omani women, demonstrating that progress begins with the courage to take the first step.