HYDERABAD: Youngsters always find it confusing to plan a career path. Only some can claim to be certain of what they are doing. Desislava Bozhilova is one such person. The 23-year-old Bulgarian is one of the youngest referees officiating on the professional ranking circuit. Currently officiating at the Indian Open snooker ranking tournament here, she has been the cynosure, with the tournament being telecast live.
Ask her how she got into snooker, and this profession, and pat comes the reply. “I liked the game, and tried to be a referee, which I enjoyed,” Bozhilova, who became a referee in December 2012 told Express. She started playing pool when was 13, and then developed an interest in snooker by watching games on TV.
The advent of female referees has been largely attributed to Scotswoman Michaela Tabb, who was a dominating figure for almost two decades. “I didn’t really have a role model, but all professionals were teachers to me. I followed snooker very closely, and watched all games.”
Although she did not referee at the World Snooker Championship last year — which takes place at The Crucible theatre in Sheffield, England, every year — she was there to watch games, which she loves. The young woman started her career at home, during the 2012 Bulgarian Open. Since then, she has officiated in big tournaments, like the German Masters and Welsh Open. When asked for the reason behind a surge in the number of female referees, she said she wasn’t sure what the exact reason was, but it might have to do with the fact that more girls are watching the sport. She partly considers Michaela as her inspiration, and wants to emulate the only female referee to officiate in a World Championship final. “I want to reach The Crucible, the biggest tournament, which is the dream of every referee.”
Results: Day 4: Round 3: Akani Songsermsawad (4) bt Gary Wilson (2); Kyren Wilson (4) bt Martin Gould (2); Peter Ebdon (4) bt Dominic Dale (1); Nigel Bond (4) bt John J Astley (2); Shaun Murphy (4) bt Oliver Lines (2); David Lilley (4) bt bt Robert Milkins (2); Stephen Maguire (4) bt Barry Hawkins (3); Anthony McGill (4) bt Stuart Bingham (0).
sports@newindianexpress.com