Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay has expressed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of S. Kathiravale of Malaysia, an AFC Distinguished Service Award – Gold Star recipient and refereeing stalwart who passed away in the early morning of Wednesday at the age of 83.
Kathiravale (pictured, second left) was a FIFA International Referee between 1971 and 1980, AFC International Referee Instructor from 1975 to 2000 (one of the first three AFC instructors) and FIFA International Referee Instructor from 1986 to 2000.
At the continental level, Kathiravale officiated the final match between Iran and Korea Republic in the 5th Asian Cup in Bangkok, Thailand in 1972 and the inaugural Women’s Asian Cup final between Thailand and New Zealand in 1975 in Hong Kong.
Kathiravale was an official not only in football but also in hockey and is always remembered as perhaps the only Malaysian who officiated in two Asian Games finals in two sports.
In 1974, he was the umpire for the India and Pakistan hockey final in the 7th Asian Games in Tehran, Iran. Four years later, in 1978, he was senior linesman in the 8th Asian Games football final between Korea Republic and DPR Korea in Bangkok.
Kathiravale was also the referee for the Japan-Korea Republic qualification match in Tokyo, Japan for the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
“It was with great sadness that we received the news of Asian refereeing icon S. Kathiravale’s death,” AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay said.
“Mr. S. Kathiravale was the face of Asian refereeing and was a source of pride for us as he made history by officiating in the final match in the first ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup back in 1975.
“His refereeing skills and 25 years of contribution as a referee instructor as well as his knowledge and implementation of the laws of the game are an inspiration to us particularly referees.
“The passing of S. Kathiravale is a great loss both to Asian football and his family. On behalf of the AFC President, the AFC Executive Committee and the whole Asian football family, I’d like to offer my heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family."
Kathiravale received the Gold Star award during the 2013 AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur and in the previous year was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s Hall of Fame. He was also a recipient of the FIFA 100th Year Special Service Award in 2004.
He left behind wife S. Sarasvathi, children K. Ananthavel, Dr K. Sivakumar and K. Sivapalan.