MALAPPURAM: Abhirami P was helping her students to line up at the school ground a few months ago when an e-mail message landed in her inbox. She was so excited that she wanted to share the good news with her friends and family members. Given the fact she was dealing with little kids, Abhirami had to square it away, and carry on as if nothing happened. The good news, however, was she would be running the lines in a B-division district men’s football league to be held in Kozhikode.
Less than a year into her career as a referee, this was a dream beginning but not unheard of especially when there is a dearth of suitable candidates for the job. What is unique is that Abhirami is the only woman from Malappuram district to officiate a men’s football match.
In a macho world of fairly raw physicality, this could be a tough journey to a place out of her comfort zone. But this young woman seems to have settled pretty well.
“I was a bit nervous when I received the news that I would be officiating a men’s match. I had refereed many female football league matches. But this seemed to be a daunting task,” said Abhirami.
Turning up as a guest at the TNIE Goal all Kerala inter-collegiate football tournament at Malappuram District Sports Council Stadium on Thursday, the young woman was awestruck by the exposure the college students were getting at this stage.
“The individual awards and the media publicity are the biggest I have ever witnessed for a college football. No doubt this will produce a good number of quality players,” she opined.
A keen football enthusiast, Abhirami is among a group of young women trying to break the gender barrier in football.
“There are great opportunities for female referees in the country. I know this is a male-dominated world and it takes a lot of guts, stamina and commanding power to become one good referee. But given my experience in the field, I believe that women can do it,” said the 20-year-old physical education teacher who graduated from Government Physical Education College, Kozhikode.
Abhirami, who hails from Paithiniparambu, Malappuram, kick-started her career as a fourth official in the district division league football held in Kozhikode a year ago. She moved up the career ladder to be an assistant referee in a female football tournament in the district. She then moved to the centre with a whistle tucked between her lips, a few games later in the same tournament.
“Referees require more stamina than players. They must look at the linesmen frequently. They need concentration and the power to make quick decision. I learnt all necessary rules during my training days in Kozhikode,” said Abhirami who dreams the day when she will be picked to officiate a FIFA match.