Tahitian referee Norbert Hauata will be joined by fellow countryman assistant Paul Ahupu and Tonga’s Tevita Makasini, both assistant referees.
For the Hauata it’s another chance to prove himself on the world stage after successfully participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ this year.
“After the World Cup in Brazil, which went well, it’s another opportunity for me to participate in an international event of a very high level,” he says.
“For four or five years, I’ve dreamed of taking part in this competition. Now, I can go and take part. This time will be special because I will be accompanied by another Tahitian, Paul Ahupu.
“It’s great, we’re being made well aware of the quality of Polynesian referees.”
In Brazil Hauata spent most of his time controlling the benches as fourth official and this time around he’s savouring the opportunity to get amongst the action in the centre of the park.
“There are more responsibilities as a referee. It’s a dream that I’ve hoped to achieve for a long time. To be at a World Cup is good, but to referee from the middle is obviously something else.
“It’s a chance for me to put in practice all the experience I acquired in Brazil. Talking about responsibilities it’s as the central referee that you don’t have any right to error, you oversee the game and you need to maintain a very high level of performance.”
Having recently attended the Youth Olympic Games Football Tournament alongside Tahitian Kader Zitouni and Cook Islands assistant referee Terry Piri further FIFA appointments should have been on the radar for Ahupu.
However when he was quite surprised to learn he’d be heading to Morocco with Hauata.
“It was Norbert who told me and it was a shock. I never thought I would get to this level,” he says.
“It really is an honour to represent French Polynesia during this Club World Cup.”
Ahupu says it was his club that nudged him into the world of refereeing.
“It was actually my team AS Tamari’i Tapuhute which got me into refereeing because in Moorea, we can get bonus points in response to the number of referees signed up.
“Gradually, and especially with the help of Norbert who has always supported me and propelled me forward, I arrived at this level.”
With some of the world’s biggest footballing names descending on Morocco for this competition, Ahupu says he won’t be getting stars in his eyes.
“It’s going to be tough, especially considering the level of these teams. It’s an excellent opportunity to be able to progress in contact with these stars.”
The FIFA Club World Cup gets underway on 10 December when Oceania club champions Auckland City FC take on Moghreb Tétouan, champions of Morocco, in the play-off.
For more about Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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