Football
Nationwide workshops launched to empower Women Football Referees
A nationwide workshop series is being launched by RFYS and AIFF to upskill and empower over 170 women football referees across India.
Nationwide workshops launched to empower Women Football Referees (Photo credit: Reliance Foundation)
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in collaboration with Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) has taken a significant step toward strengthening women’s football in India by launching the Women’s Football Referees Workshop.
The nationwide initiative, starting today in Srinagar, aims to upskill and empower over 170 women match officials across the country, fostering an inclusive refereeing ecosystem.
The workshop series will commence in Srinagar (February 21-22) before moving to Kolkata (March 1-2), Shillong (March 8-9), Chennai (March 15-16), and Mumbai (March 19-20). Each session will bring together women referees from neighboring regions, ensuring a wide-reaching impact.
Senior Indian women’s football team player Ngangom Bala Devi lauded the initiative, stating:
"Refereeing is a very challenging job, and I have great respect for all the match officials who ensure fair play in Indian football. This workshop, organized by Reliance Foundation in association with AIFF, will empower women referees to officiate more regularly at national and international levels. It’s encouraging to see such initiatives being conducted for the continuous growth of Indian football."
Expert AIFF instructors, including Uvena Fernandes—the only Indian assistant referee to officiate a FIFA World Cup final—and Maria Rebello, a former Indian women's national team captain and FIFA-listed referee, will lead the sessions.
Women’s football in India has witnessed remarkable growth, with increasing participation in playing, coaching, and officiating roles. This season alone, approximately 40 women match officials have officiated in RFYS and Reliance Foundation Development League competitions, reflecting a growing talent pool.
RFYS along with AIFF had conducted a workshop for Indian Women’s League (IWL) match officials in November 2024, focusing on enhancing technical skills and match-day performance. Since 2022, in collaboration with AIFF and strategic partners, RFYS has conducted multiple similar workshops, benefitting over 620 women match officials and coaches.
