The All India Football Federation (AIFF) referees director, Ravishankar J, states that lately the Indian women referees have shown a significant improvement, and they would be able to officiate Hero I-league in near future.
In an interview, Ravishankar said that the benchmark has been set for female referees to undergo the fitness tests on par with male referees and conduct Hero I-League matches in the future.
Former FIFA referee Ravishankar says, “Our target for the women referees is to make them capable to undergo the men’s fitness tests and to be able to officiate Hero I-League matches.” He further adds, “They will also have to take the challenge head-on because it’ll be more challenging physically as well as psychologically. I am confident that they have the quality to match our expectations.”
There are a total of about eight referees and 10 assistant referees in the elite FIFA panel from India. Out of these referees, Kanika Barman and Ranjita Devi Tekcham are enlisted while Uvena Fernandes and Riiohlang Dhar are in the category of assistant referees. However, Uvena is been on the list since 2014 whereas, Ranjita Devi and Riiohlang Dhar were first enlisted in 2018. Kanika Barman is the latest entrant who joined the elite list in 2020.
Ravishankar says, “Our women referees have done exceptionally well. Ranjita is rated as one of the top women match officials in Asia. With the Hero IWL coming in, they are getting more chances. (Kanika) Barman, I am sure she would be able to do a better job and comparatively, she would come out faster.” He continues, “Uvena Fernandes has already experienced officiating in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. We are hopeful the trio will also get an opportunity to prove their worth in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India next year. It is our aspiration and it will be a really proud moment for us.”
Ravishankar believes that the remaining three women referees would get a refinement of the same experience at the forthcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that is to be hosted by India.
