Who Is Riiohlang Dhar? Selected To Officiate FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Riiohlang Dhar, an iconic figure in Indian football, has been selected as an assistant referee for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in the Dominican Republic from October 10 to November 3. This remarkable achievement makes her the second Indian woman to earn such an honour, following in the footsteps of Uvena Fernandes, who officiated in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.

Breaking Barriers: A Journey of Dedication

At 34 years old, Riiohlang Dhar is from Meghalaya and is known for her articulate and determined nature. Her inclusion in FIFA’s elite list of 38 match officials for the tournament is a testament to her hard work and dedication. Speaking about this achievement, Riiohlang expressed her deep sense of pride and responsibility. “My appointment for the World Cup has come as a great honour for me,” she shared with The Print. “I have to work harder to live up to FIFA’s expectations. I will also keep in mind that I will be there as a representative of India. I will do everything to keep India’s flag high.”

From Player to Referee: A Lifelong Passion

Riiohlang’s journey in refereeing began in 2009 after she decided to transition from playing football to officiating. “After I stopped playing football, I joined a referee course in my local town and found it interesting since it kept me in touch with the game I love dearly,” she shared with The Print. “So, I decided to take up the whistle and the flag. I have come a long way since then. I have supervised many international tournaments, but the World Cup is going to be a different experience.”

Recognition from the Football Community

Riiohlang’s selection did not come as a surprise to those who have followed her career. K Sankar, the Chairperson of the AIFF Referees’ Committee, highlighted her outstanding performance in various AFC and FIFA international matches as a key factor in her appointment. “In this year’s AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia, Riiohlang officiated in one of the semi-finals and also the third-place play-off. Her performance was excellent. Her appointment is a great honour for the AIFF too. On behalf of the Referees’ Committee, I wish her a great World Cup ahead,” he shared with The Print.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been working towards the development of referees, and Riiohlang’s nomination is seen as a significant milestone in this journey. AIFF’s secretary general, M Satyanarayan, described her selection as a timely and symbolic achievement. He also noted the recent initiatives taken by AIFF to develop referees, including the appointment of five zonal referees’ development officers and the successful Elite Referees’ Development Programme.

As Riiohlang Dhar prepares to officiate on the world stage, her achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees and a proud moment for Indian football.