Spotlight: Rio 2016-bound AFC referees

Rita will be assisted by Allyson Flynn and Teshirogi Naomi, who make up the five trios – three men and two women – representing Asia in Rio, Brazil. The-afc.com also takes a look at the journey of all our officials bound for the Olympics in Rio this week.

The-AFC.com: What are your key and most memorable moments?

**Rita: **My most memorable achievements are when I won the AFC Women Referee of the Year 2014 and got the opportunity to officiate at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015.

The-AFC.com: What motivated you to become a referee?

*Rita: ***I became a referee to keep myself healthy and to gain a challenging experience.

The-AFC.com: How has the AFC helped you progress as a referee?

**Rita: **The AFC has helped me a lot in helping me progress as a referee by attending development courses, staying fit and mentally and technically prepared. There are also advice and tips from the AFC Referee Assessors. And of course, the AFC has been giving me opportunities to officiate various matches.

The-AFC.com: How are you preparing physically, mentally, nutritionally and from other aspects for the Olympics? Do you think the weather in Brazil will be a challenge for you?

**Rita: **In terms of physical preparations, I follow the training regime recommended by FIFA. I train in the morning and in the afternoon; I do strength training or recovery such as massage, ice bath and acupuncture. The weather in Brazil will not be a problem because it’s similar to the weather of Malaysia presently. I also prepare my own healthy food to make sure that my nutrition needs are fulfilled for the games.

The-AFC.com: How do you feel about officiating at your first Olympics? Do you think it will be the same as the other tournaments?

**Rita: **Alhamdulillah (Thank God), I feel very happy and this is an honour for me to be at the Olympics. I would like to thank my parents and family, my husband, FIFA, AFC, Football Association of Malaysia, the Kuala Lumpur Football Association and the Referee Assessors who have all been instrumental in helping me achieve this high level of refereeing today.

Rio 2016 will be my first Olympics and I’m thankful for the chance to officiate at one of the most prominent football tournaments. This is a different competition because only the best countries will participate in it and they will give out their utmost best to win a medal for their country.

The-AFC.com: As an experienced and award-winning referee, what do you think makes for a top Asian referee on the world’s stage? What are the challenges that women’s referees face to rise to the occasion and what are the tips to overcome these challenges?

Rita: To be a world top referee from Asia is not easy. One has to give his or her utmost commitment, be extremely fit physically, mentally strong and an expert in the application of the Laws of the Game. One of the challenges for women’s referees today is to be faster than ever.

My tips for women’s referees are to keep fit, handle a men’s match, which will provide a challenge to be mentally tougher and to recover properly to prevent injury.

The-AFC.com: What is your aspiration at the Olympics?

*Rita: ***Insha Allah (God willing), my aspiration for the Olympics is to give my best to officiate the matches vigorously and confidently.

Allyson Flynn
(Women’s) Assistant Referee

Australia’s Allyson Flynn is a veteran of two FIFA Women’s World Cups, officiating in four matches, including the semi-final clash between Japan and England at the last edition in Canada last year. The 34-year-old physiotherapist also won the AFC Assistant Referee of the Year in 2013.

Flynn, who credits the lifelong friendships forged over the years as one of her key motivations in refereeing, was also the assistant referee for the AFC Asian Champions League match between Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong F.C. and Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk FC in 2015.

Naomi Teshirogi
(Women’s) Assistant Referee

Similar to Flynn, Japan’s Naomi Teshirogi biggest achievement in refereeing includes the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 in Canada. The physical therapist’s passion for refereeing was first ignited by her school teacher who recommended her for the role.

Since then, the 35-year-old has not looked back, going on to earn her FIFA international assistance referee status in 2013. Having played the beautiful game at the high school level in Japan, she believe her experience as a player has enabled to better deliver and uphold the laws of the game.

Ri Hyang-ok
(Women’s) Referee

Ri Hyang-ok of DPR Korea attained her highest accolade when she was selected to referee the third place match between Germany and England during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.

The appointment was the 38-year-old’s fourth in the competition, which comprised two group stage matches as well as the round-of-16 match between Germany and Sweden.

Hong Kum-nyo
(Women’s) Assistant Referee

Similar to her DPR Korea compatriot, Hong Kum-nyo also featured in the third place match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.

The experienced assistant referee, who has been a FIFA International official for almost 14 years, has amassed an impressive also list of world-class football tournaments, ranging from the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

Cui Yong Mei
(Women’s) Assistant Referee

A veteran professional with more than seven years of experience as a FIFA International assistant referee, China PR’s Cui Yong Mei scaled her crowing moment when she was selected to officiate the match between France and Colombia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Canada.

The university physical education teacher, who was also the assistant referee during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012, accounts her 2012 AFC Best Women Assistant Referee nomination as one her proudest moments in her career.

Fahad Al Mirdasi
(Men’s) Referee