Local football referee Timothy Niu has reached a major milestone in his officiating career after being awarded a FIFA Referee Badge, becoming the latest Solomon Islander center referee to achieve the prestigious accreditation.
The achievement crowns years of dedication, resilience and steady progression for Niu, who has become a familiar and respected figure across the domestic S-League and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) competitions.
Speaking to Star Sports, the official from Koa Village in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, described the moment as a dream fulfilled after years of perseverance.
“I am so happy and it is a dream come true to finally become a FIFA referee. It was not easy and this is a very hard level to reach.
“It’s all about improving yourself, staying committed and learning to handle criticism from spectators, coaches and players. That’s all part of being a referee,” Niu said.
Niu reflected on his journey, which began in 2016 when he enrolled in a basic refereeing course at the old SIFF Academy. From there, he steadily worked his way through the ranks.
“I started officiating in the local women’s leagues soon after, first as an assistant referee before moving into the center referee role and later progressing into the Honiara Football Association (HFA) leagues,” he explained.
His consistent performances and commitment saw him earn his OFC Referee Badge in 2019, opening the door to regional appointments.
“After getting my OFC Badge, I started officiating youth regional competitions including the men’s and women’s U-19 World Cup qualifiers, before moving on to the OFC Champions League and other regional tournaments,” he added.
Niu’s rise has been marked by reliability and professionalism, qualities that earned him the S-League Referee of the Year award for the 2022/2023 season, further cementing his reputation within Solomon Islands football.
Grateful for the support along the way, Niu acknowledged the role played by his mentors and fellow officials both locally and across the region.
“It has been a long journey and I thank everyone who has helped me, especially my senior referees and mentors. Above all, I thank God for bringing me this far in my career as a match official,” he said.
Beyond the personal milestone, Niu believes his achievement reflects the growing standards of refereeing in the country and serves as motivation for the next generation.
“To young boys and girls thinking about becoming match officials, my advice is to go for it. The sky is the limit. As long as you are honest with yourself, stay committed and work hard, you can achieve it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) this week confirmed the full list of FIFA-accredited match officials for 2026.
The officials accredited for the 2026 season are:
- Ben Aukwai – Centre Referee
- Shama Maemae (female) – Centre Referee
- Timothy Niu – Centre Referee (New)
- Bernard Mutukera – Assistant Referee
- Natalia Lumukana (female) – Assistant Referee
- Jefferey Solodia – Assistant Referee
- Rex Kamusu – Futsal Referee
- Philip Mana – Futsal Referee
- Hugo Hebala – Beach Soccer Referee
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
