Abongile Tom says SA Sports Awards recognition is his biggest achievement

Tom says there is no greater feeling than being recognised on the national stage. 

He has been nominated in the Technical Official of the Year category alongside rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron and para-athletics official Ernesta Strydom. 

The awards will take place at Sun City on Sunday night. 

Tom admits he never expected the nomination but is grateful for the recognition.

"It's a great feeling to be recognised on one of the biggest platforms South Africa can offer to sports people. I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to see what happens."

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The year of 2025 will go down as one of the biggest and best in Tom’s career. 

The former policeman took a bold step by resigning from his government job to pursue refereeing full-time. 

His decision has paid off, with the 34-year-old achieving several milestones, including being selected as a referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The Eastern Cape-born referee is regarded as one of the most reliable match officials on the continent. 

Tom says referees face many challenges whenever they step onto the field. They can quickly become the villain, facing criticism and even hatred from fans and players when decisions do not go their way.

"One decision you make as a referee can be so critical, because fans can forget the previous 89 minutes if there is a big call right at the end. We've been talking a lot about VAR in this country and we wish it can come sooner because it can assist a lot with the challenges we face."

Tom, who was included in the FIFA World Cup refereeing panel in 2020, says refereeing can provide a living and help support a family. 

However, he advises young people interested in the profession to prioritise education, as a career in sport can be short-lived.