Dias is the only one from Maharashtra to be named among the 30 referees selected for the All India Football Federation’s Project Future India-2012.
Cajetan A Dias couldn’t have asked for a better gift on the day he turned 24. On Wednesday, he received a call informing that he is the only one from Maharashtra to be named among the 30 referees selected for the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Project Future India-2012.
“This is by far the best birthday gift I’ve received. However, I did expect to get selected as I had done very well in my examination,” said Dias.
The selected 30 will head to New Delhi for an intensive training by the end of February. The AIFF will recommend names of the best among them to FIFA, the football governing body in the world. “There will be two training camps. And if I clear the Delhi camp, I will be a step closer to my dream of supervising matches at the national level and get enough experience to be on the FIFA panel of referees,” said Dias.
“The FIFA examination is of international standards and clearing that is a big thing. The AIFF will send the confirmation letter to the Bombay Football Referee Association (BFRA),” he added.
Dias said he draws inspiration from international referee Howard Webb. “He is just too good at his work. His decisions are mostly accurate.
“As a kid, I used to watch referees in a game and soon became fascinated by their work. In a match, the referee always has the final say. He is the man with authority,” said Dias.
A Class I level referee, Dias is studying commerce from St Andrews College and said he will continue with his education. “I’ve been associated to the sport since I was 18. I am used to maintaining a balance between my studies and training,” he claimed.
Dias said he hopes that one day he will referee in an international match. However, his dream is to officiate in I-League. Dias has been a referee in many Elite division matches and has officiated in about 3,000 games.
Results: Super division: Maharashtra State Police 2 (P Sawant, A Khan) bt Companeroes 0; KSA 3 (W Anthony, G Aranha, N Pardeshi) bt PDP Waves 0; Div-I: Miner SC 1 (Swapnil J) bt Parel Villa 0; Div-II: Cochin FC 3 (J Patil, K Bagdhadi, Z Vora) bt Maratha United 0; Sebastian Boy’s, Chembur 5 (E D’Mello 2, R D’Mello, C D’Mello, R Correia) bt Utkash Mandal 0
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