Shillong, Feb 21: Reliance Foundation Youth Sports is set to host women’s football referee workshops in Shillong next month, part of a nationwide programme that began in Srinagar today.
The workshops are being held in collaboration with the All India Football Federation and the initiative aims to “upskill and inspire over 170 women match officials across India, fostering a stronger and more inclusive refereeing ecosystem,” a press release said today.
Shillong’s workshop will be held on 8th and 9th March. The other venues are Srinagar (21st to 22nd February), Kolkata (1st to 2nd March), Chennai (15th to 16th March) and Mumbai (19th to 20th March).
Senior Indian women’s football team player Ngangom Bala Devi was quoted as saying, “Refereeing is a very challenging job and I have a high regard for all the match officials who ensure a fair game in Indian football. The workshop to upskill match officials organised by Reliance Foundation in association with the AIFF will empower them to officiate more regularly in the national and international competitions. I’m very happy to see initiatives like this taking place regularly for the continuous betterment of the sport and development of Indian football.”
Each workshop will see match officials from neighbouring regions participate. For instance, the Srinagar session will welcome participants from Chandigarh, Punjab, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and other nearby areas. Expert AIFF instructors will lead the workshops, including Uvena Fernandes, the only Indian assistant referee to officiate in a FIFA World Cup final, and Maria Rebello, former captain of the Indian women’s national team and a FIFA-listed referee.
Women’s football in India has experienced significant growth, with more women taking on roles as players, coaches and match officials, the release added. Approximately 40 women match officials have participated in RFYS and Reliance Foundation Development League competitions this season.
In November 2024, RFYS organised a workshop for Indian Women’s League match officials, focusing on enhancing technical skills and match-day performance. Since 2022, RFYS, in collaboration with the AIFF and other strategic partners, has conducted multiple similar workshops, benefiting over 620 coaches and women match officials and empowering them to play critical roles in developing Indian football.
(Reliance Foundation Sports Media photo)