In doing so, she will become the first Indian woman to officiate in an official FIFA tournament.
Be it on air or the football pitch, Uvena Fernandes is used to being in command. After all, the 35-year-old India Air Force (IAF) air traffic controller squadron leader has been selected to officiate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in Jordan between September 30-October 21 this year.
In doing so, she will become the first Indian woman to officiate in an official FIFA tournament.
"It feels great to get selected," Fernandes told dna from Assam, where she is currently posted. "While one would want to celebrate this, I prefer to look at it as an opportunity to work harder. It feels great when hard work pays off."
The assistant referee had officiated in three matches of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon including the semifinal clash between Japan and Vietnam.
As a young girl living in the picturesque village of Canacona, Goa, she never dreamt of becoming a referee, or a footballer, for that matter.
"My father was a footballer. He passed away when I was two. But I guess hearing the stories my mom used to tell me about him, I took a liking to football. Right now, I feel like I'm fulfilling my father's dream."
It was not until when Class XI that she started playing the beautiful game. "Friends in college convinced me to come for practice. I got selected and there was no looking back," she said.
She made it to the national team in 2003, and Fernandes then decided that her next move should be refereeing. "I always wanted to stay in touch with the game I love so much. Only by becoming a referee can you do that," he said.
After officiating at the domestic level for two-and-a-half years, she joined the Air Force Academy in 2006. Naturally, it was difficult to manage two jobs, but it was never a problem for Fernandes.
"Women are used to multi-tasking and handling complex situations," said the mother of a six-year-old boy. "I'm not allowed to disclose how I get time off my job to officiate in matches, but I can say that the IAF has been really supportive. Refereeing is a difficult task, but the key is to remain calm. Have you ever seen an agitated referee?"
Asked if she has ever faced rowdy players of a situation that has gone out of control, she replied in the negative.
"Thankfully, I've never let the situation go out of hand. There are times when the game gets rough, but as long as the players know that the referee is in control, they don't make reckless tackles."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Uvena")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}