Shillong: In recognition of her excellence, Meghalaya’s Riiohlang Dhar was honoured with the ‘Best Female Assistant Referee’ award for 2024-25 at the All India Football Federation’s event on Friday in Bhubaneswar.
The AIFF has, for the first time, introduced a female-specific category for assistant referees.
This AIFF recognition comes just days after she was selected to officiate in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25 semifinals and final in China, making her the first Indian official to feature at the prestigious continental club championship.
A FIFA-accredited assistant referee, Dhar has officiated at several international events.
She was the second Indian match official to appear at a FIFA World Cup, having served at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year.
In 2024, she also officiated at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia.
Riiohlang Dhar’s inspiring journey extends beyond the football pitch; as a dedicated policewoman with the Meghalaya Police, she continues to break barriers in both her professional and sporting life.
Uvena Fernandes was the first Indian woman assistant referee to have the honour of supervising in the World Cup. She officiated in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.
Refereeing has been a part of Riiohlang’s life since 2009. “After I stopped playing football, I joined a referee course in my local town and found it interesting since it will keep me in touch with the game I love dearly. So, I decided to take up the whistle and the flag,” she said.
Besides, Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth were named the AIFF Best Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year 2024-25 on the AIFF Awards Day.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya Governor urges KHADC to prioritize ecological preservation in Khasi Hills
Vairamuthu P was awarded the AIFF Male Assistant Referee of the year. He officiated 25 matches in the ISL this season.
