Sen Hangma Limboo aims to earn International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) badge

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Huge prize money, live match on the screen... the Guwahati Premier Football League has already attracted soccer fans in the city. There was more for them as women referees are also the part of the competition.

Already, two female referees were engaged in the middle by the Guwahati Sports Association to officiate two different matches. The opening game was conducted by a referee from Manipur, and yesterday in the second semi-final, a female referee from Sikkim, Sen Hangma Limboo, was in charge of officiating the game.

Sen, a national-level referee, has already officiated several national-level matches conducted by the AIFF and her performance in yesterday’s game was also eye catching. However, initially she didn’t have a plan to become a referee, but it was her teacher who encouraged her to enter this field.

Speaking to The Sentinel at the Gauhati Town Club premises this morning, Sen said, “During my early days, I played a little bit of football and athletics but had no intention to become a referee. But once I joined, I took it seriously.”

At present, there are four women from India who are on the FIFA Elite Panel, either as referees or assistant referees. Northeast is doing well when it comes to producing women referees for national and international levels. Tekcham Ranjita Devi from Manipur and Ri-iolang Dhar (Meghalaya), both were in Guwahati to officiate the opening game of the Guwahati Premier Football League, already earned FIFA badges a couple of years ago. Ranjita Devi joined in FIFA panel as a referee and Ri-iolang Dhar as an assistant referee. Sen too has the aim of collecting a FIFA badge, but right now there is no vacancy, so she has to wait a few more days.

When asked whether it is difficult for a woman to officiate a men’s match Sen, who is an employee of Sikkim’s forest department, said, “Not at all. Yes, at the initial stage, there were a little bit of difficulties, but it is in every occupation. Now I am mature enough to handle any situation on the ground.”

She also added: “I personally feel if someone follows the rules properly and her fitness level is good, she can easily conduct matches in both male and female categories.”

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