Shanti Aich Mullick Football Coaching Centre, Kolkata (14th July, 2024)

Transcript

I am Anamika Sen. I have played for a long time and then I started refereeing. I think if more tournaments are organized for women, then they can excel more. Women have all the power in them. They work hard home as well as in the field of sports. But their background is not strong enough. If the support system is strengthened, I think women can do better. I left refereeing in 2010, after which I appeared for the examinations which were very difficult. Upon passing the referee assessor examination, I started working as a referee assessor . I am soon going to Andhra Pradesh as a referee assessor. During the last National games, I was both match commissioner and the referee assessor. I played both the roles. The match commissioner manages the administrative aspects of a match and the referee assessor judges the performance of the referee. We mark them based on their decision-making and we give them suggestions for improvement. I do not know how much justice I do to my work, but I try my best. When I used to play, I went abroad to places like Malaysia, Thailand, Busan in South Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka and many other places. I went to Thailand thrice and have been a referee in various international matches. Later, I worked as match commissioner and referee assessor for AIFF (All India Football Federation), in various places including Kolkata. I am still continuing. I have not faced much difficulty yet. The matches usually run smoothly. Recently, before the Barrackpore match there was a match of Mohammedan Sporting Club. Pranjal Banerjee was the referee in that match. He is one of the elite panel referees. I never thought I would have a chance to assess and become a match commissioner in one of his matches. He conducted the match quite well. There is a need for education in this field. Without education it is difficult to figure out the administrative functions like creating combined lists and various computerised works. I do not think that it is very difficult. During our practice days, how did we perform well? By regular practise. This thing is also similar. I have practised regularly and that has helped me become a match commissioner. It has given me confidence to work for men’s matches, in the nationals and in Kolkata premiere division league. I am now not afraid of facing difficult situations. I do not believe in taking a step back. I really hope that more women come to sports. Many of them are now taking interest. In our field we have Sudeshna Mukherjee, who is also a match commissioner. She generally works outside Kolkata. I have not seen her in the premier division matches in Kolkata as of yet. She is doing good. I started this journey because of Shanti di. She encouraged me to pursue the carrier of refereeing. Before that I used to play. She told me to take this up and assured me that I would be able to do it. She got me enrolled in classes of Pradip Nath and encouraged me to remain fit. I started my journey from this field. Back then I was not able to afford proper food due to the financial condition of my family. So, after practice Shanti di used to provide me with food from this sweet shop. She used to tell me to eat rosogollas and said that it was necessary after practice. Shanti di has motivated me at every step. It is because of her that I am successful today. When people ask me what has brought me here, I always say it is due to my practise and my hard work.