Football is a rapidly growing sport in India. While many in their young age aspire to be a football player, here is a man who aspires to be a CAT-1 referee. Pune-based Kishor Chaudhari chose to walk in his father’s footsteps and is today a certified category 2 referee, just one step short of CAT-1, the – the highest order of the National Referee Hierarchy.
It was back in 2019 when Kishor cleared the Cat-2 exam. However, exam apart, maintaining one’s status via strict fitness norms set by the National body, All India Football Federation (AIFF), is a crucial factor for any referee. He will need to mandatorily prove his fitness level every year.
“Fitness is the key and there’s no compromising on that aspect,” Kishor adds, after having recently cleared the same.
Kishor’s father Gangaram Chaudhari, stepped in the profession in 1983 and has officiated in several erstwhile All-India tournaments held in Maharashtra. It is his dream to see his son become a Cat-1 referee.
The mindset about taking up refereeing at a later stage in life is generally prevalent. Kishor however believes that it is a serious profession and needs to be taken up professionally from a young age. He advises youngsters to take up refereeing in the same manner as one aspires to become a professional player.
How to become a referee:
- Minimum age/Qualifications – 18 years of age & Xth Grade pass
- Register with district/ state body and generate a R.I.N Number
- The first stage is Cat-5 & thereafter, every year, it’s a step-by-step process of a written exam & proving fitness levels set by AIFF
- Subsequently, move up the ranks to Cat-4, Cat-3, Cat-2
- Cat-1 is the highest order for referees
- Retirement Age – 45
Know more about the profession here: https://www.the-aiff.com/
