India’s Uvena Fernandes will create history today when she will take charge as an assistant referee in the clash between Japan and North Korea in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.

The only Indian referee to have officiated in a FIFA Tournament was K. Sankar. He was an assistant in the FIFA World Cup 2002. Uvena happens to be a squadron leader in the Air Force in Assam.

According to the head of referees, Goutam Kar, in the All India Football Federation, Uvena was discouraged after not being selected for the semi-finals in Jordan. “I told her to bide her time. I had a hunch that Uvena would get an assignment in the final. She was left speechless when FIFA announced her name for the final. Uvena deserves it,” he said.

“She can deliver under extreme pressure; she always remains calm on the field. What I like most about Uvena are her focus and determination. She is a master at multi-tasking. Uvena has a seven-year-old child and her husband is a pilot in the Army. She juggles all her responsibilities with aplomb,” he added.

The AIFF’s next goal is to help Uvena officiate in the women’s Fifa World Cup in 2019. “She ticks all the boxes to reach the highest level of refereeing,” Kar said.

Also read about India’s latest FIFA Ranking, http://www.footballcounter.com/2016/india-move-best-fifa-rankings-since-august-2010/

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