Indians Monika Jana and Rubadevi Gurusamy selected in FIFA Panel of Referees

Battling stereotypes and hardships throughout their life, both Monika Jana and Rubadevi Gurusamy have made it to the FIFA panel after refereeing in the State level, National level and International level Tournaments.

“Getting selected in the FIFA Panel is a dream come true and this means the World to me, as I had worked hard to achieve this goal,” an elated Monika Jana expressed her joy in an interview to www.the-aiff.com.

“I thank the AIFF for supporting me through thick and thin, and nominating me to the FIFA Panel. I am more determined than ever to make my stamp in Football through Refereeing”, 26-year old Monika added.

Monika also hoped that with more and more women referees making it into the FIFA panel, the stereotypes surrounding women’s football will go away.

“Women’s Refereeing is breaking stereotypes about girls in India, enabling the populace to change their mindsets when it comes to Refereeing and Women’s Football in general,” Monika told www.the-aiff.com.

Hailing from Dindigul in Tamil Nadu, 26-year old Rubadevi played for her local club during the college days and has an academic background in the field of Chemistry and Physical Education.

“I am on cloud nine ever since I found out that I had made it into the FIFA Panel of Referees. There are emotions which you cannot put in words and this is one of them,” Rubadevi told www.the-aiff.com.

Both Monika and Rubadevi have high regards for Maria Rebello, who was the first Woman Referee to officiate in an I-League fixture.

“She has been my role model always and she has inspired me to be a better Referee in my Refereeing career”, Monika stated, reported told www.the-aiff.com.

“Maria (Rebello) has been a leading light for Women’s Refereeing in India and she has certainly motivated us to follow in her footsteps.

“Because of people like her, girls can come out of the closet and follow their passion”, Rubadevi said.

Apart from Monika and Rubadevi, Uvena Fernandes, an assistant referee in the FIFA panel since 2014 also retained her place in the newly released panel of referees. A total of 17 Indians (6 men and 2 women as referees and 8 men and 1 women as assistant referees) made the cut for the FIFA panel of referees.