MARGAO
Maria Rebello holds the distinction of being the only Goan who was a FIFA referee assessor at the recently held FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in India.
"Prior to the World Cup, we refreshed the basic knowledge (of the referees) and had group discussions. They became positive day-by-day and have their own opinions. This is very important as a referee assessor but I certainly saw their passion," Maria said.
Rebello highlighted the importance of thinking positive and said that organising courses is "very beneficial" and there were many referees across the globe who share their experience with each other. As a footballer, Maria captained the Indian women’s team in 2001 that participated in the AFC Women’s Championship in Chinese Taipei. Though they lost in the group stage and she retired soon after that, the desire to keep in touch with the sport made her enrol for a refereeing course.
Born and brought up in picturesque village of Curtorim, Maria started playing football at an early age, with the boys of her village. She spent her school days playing in the paddy fields with makeshift goals. “Playing there is what helped me become rough and tough that enabled me to become the footballer I am. My parents' support was instrumental in me taking up football as a profession," she stated.
Maria did her training with the Bombay Referees Association (BRA) and then joined the Goa Football Association to ply her trade. She officiates in all the local leagues and inter-village games. "At the U-17 World Cup in 2017, it was a wonderful feeling to be selected for the biggest sporting event in the world. After a great effort the years of sacrifice at work and the time away from my family was well worth it," Rebello told 'The Goan'.
Rebello admitted that India's performance in the recently held U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup "have not been too good" but said the experience of playing at the showpiece will help in the development of the team.
Debutants India lost all their three group matches -- against USA, Morocco and Brazil -- and conceded 16 goals to get eliminated from the tournament. The country was taking part in the age-group showpiece by virtue of being the hosts. Maria was in Odisha where hosts India played their Group A matches.
