Bengaluru Women Football Referees Highlight Challenges and Dreams of Reaching FIFA
Bengaluru’s national-level women football referees, Harsha Saini and Neha M, have highlighted the intense pressure, physical demands, and low representation of female match officials in Karnataka, drawing inspiration from FIFA's recent spotlight on all-women refereeing teams.
The local officials shared their experiences following a recent FIFA match between Czechia and South Africa, which was refereed by an all-women team for only the second time in FIFA history. For Saini, who is one of Karnataka's first national-level referees, the moment provided significant motivation.
Saini, aged 27, explained that officiating in a male-dominated field with 22 players and a large crowd brings intense pressure, as any decision made will inevitably disappoint half the stadium. However, she noted that experiencing similar situations at a local level has given her courage.
Both Saini and Neha M, a 29-year-old All India Football Federation (AIFF) National Referee, began their sports careers as players at the collegiate, club, and state levels. They transitioned into officiating after suggestions from their coaches. Neha, who suffered a meniscus injury during her playing career, found refereeing to be a way to stay connected to the sport while exercising leadership on the field.
The transition to refereeing required specialized training beyond the typical fitness expectations of football players. To advance through the eight-level qualification system, referees must pass yearly fitness and theory exams. Saini explained that their drills are tailored to game scenarios, requiring flexibility and mobility to transition between standing, jogging, and sprinting sideways or backwards.
Despite the global spotlight, representation remains low. Only six of the 170 officials selected for the World Cup are women. Neha noted that women's participation in refereeing is also low in Karnataka, which she attributed to a lack of awareness. She emphasized the need for more investment, mentoring, and training to encourage more women to express interest.
While Neha plans to return to the field within a year after recently becoming a mother, Saini highlighted that Bengaluru offers abundant opportunities for officiating, ranging from youth matches to corporate tournaments. Both referees continue to study match officials during games as they work toward their ultimate goal of officiating at a FIFA World Cup.
