PUNE: Officiating in her first ever I-League match and becoming the first woman referee in the process to do so, Maria Rebello could not have asked for a better script on Women’s Day.
The match in question was the 2-2 Pune FC-Shillong Lajong FC contest here on Saturday.
Speaking to the All India Football Federation website after she blew the final whistle, Rebello was ecstatic.
“This was the day I was looking forward to. It’s like a dream come true. I would like to thank AIFF and the entire Referees Committee for believing in me. It couldn’t have been a better Women’s Day gift for me,” Rebello said.
“[It] is incredible and today I am really proud of the hard work I have put in all these years to reach here.”
Rebello is an AFC Elite Referee who has been a fourth official in two I-League games and she has officiated in China, the Goa Pro League and Santosh Trophy. (Agencies)