Football is the world’s most popular sport. For long bracketed in the ‘exclusively for male’ category, the women’s version of it is growing too. Yet, some parts still remain male bastions. Refereeing is one. While female referees are scarce at the highest levels, they are virtually non-existent at the national and local levels.
But the Chennai Football Association (CFA) senior division league this year has seen a welcome change.
The first
S. Vasanthi, who secured the grade of a national referee recently, has become the first female to be appointed.
“I didn’t expect it at first,” she says. “It’s a men’s league after all and this is the highest level. But I was very happy.”
Vasanthi is a Sub-Inspector with the Tamil Nadu Special Police. So far she has officiated in the capacity of an assistant referee in the senior division, though she is eligible to play the part of the main referee, which she has in the league’s lower divisions. While her regular job brings its own set of challenges, the ones on a football field don’t seem any less.
“Communication is a problem. The rules and the decision making don’t change but when a woman makes it, it is viewed differently. Players might not readily accept it. Explanation’s are sought.”
“If a side is losing, it is natural for (players) to put pressure on the referees. With us it is more. Questions like ‘Why are women referees appointed when men are there’ are asked.
The 30-year-old is however unperturbed. “Getting the decision right is my job. I do it to the best of my ability.”
Supportive family
Vasanthi is among only six national-level women’s referees in India and second from the state along with Roopadevi. Aside from the above-mentioned challenges, social realities like marriage prevents them from making the grade. For Vasanthi however, as she acknowledges, her husband and family have been of great support and feels that her appointment is a step in the right direction.
“It’s just a start. In Kolkata, many women referees officiate in big matches. In fact they have a separate association. In the days ahead we hope something like this happens here too.”
Suresh Srinivasan, India’s only AFC Referee Instructor and also the CFA Secretary terms this “a small step towards achieving bigger things in the future.”
“Already four for five referees have enrolled at the entry level,” he says.
“This is also like grooming players. It should be done from a young age, because refereeing is also equally important.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/getting-the-decision-right-is-my-job-vasanthi/article6050772.ece
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