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Indian woman football referee for Olympics

Last updated on: May 24, 2004 20:30 IST
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The Federation of International Football Associations has selected India's first woman referee Bentla D'Couth to officiate at the Olympic football tournament at Athens from August 11 to 28.

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Bentla is the only referee from the Asia to be accorded the honour of officiating at the Games.

"This is a great achievement for Indian football, especially for Kerala, as this is the first time in the history of Indian football an Indian woman will figure in the Olympics," said a statement from the Kerala Footbal Association.

Since becoming a referee in 2000, the 34-year-old Bentla has officiated many international tournaments, including the Asian Games, Pre-Olympic tournament in Fiji and Japan and South East ASEAN Games.

She is presently in China officiating at Asian women's under-19 tournament, which began today.

India has only two FIFA referees. The other is Anamika Sen, who was granted FIFA recognition this year only.

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