Will Someone Help This Young Referee?

Kanika Burman stands close to a crowded bus stand in the heart of Kolkata, her face peaceful against the tumult of the city.

Her image has appeared in Ei Shomoy, of Kolkata's fastest growing dailies. Yet, no one recognises her on the streets. She is 20 year old and one of India's finest female football referees.

Every time she goes to officiate a match, she loses her salary. Her employers, Kolkata Police, does not want her to leave duty to officiate matches.

"But I want both. I want to officiate matches, and I want my job," Barman told ATP in a telephonic interview from Kolkata.

“Wish there was someone to help me”

She says she is aware that in cricket crazy India, even footballers are not valued. Unless, of course, you play for a top team and score regular goals.

"No one knows the names of referees in India. And no one bothers to check about female referees," says Barman, who has officiated big buck matches involving East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting.

The crowds took no notice of Barman.

She does not mind the ignore. Trained in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, this top referee wants to do more matches of I-league across the country.

But her employers have given her only one choice: Duty or football.

That is a very hard one, especially if you are associated with football in India. It is actually worse if you are a referee.

Barman knows it by heart.

ATP