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