Fifa assistant referee Mary Njoroge believes the appointment of female referees to officiate in the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar will open doors for more women in upcoming major events.
Njoroge said Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga's role at the World Cup is motivation enough for Africa and the upcoming female referees.
Other female referees selected for the global showpiece are Japan’s Yamashita Yoshimi and France’s Stephanie Frappart.
“This comes as a huge motivation to the female referees and the upcoming ones. The appointment of Mukansanga is proof that we can make it on the big stage…she has opened the door for us,” Njoroge said.
Speaking on KBC television, Njoroge said she is looking forward to doing more projects with Mukansanga. Njoroge worked with the Rwandan referee during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
“I have also worked with her in Afcon and Cecafa and she is a friend. In Japan, I worked with her till the quarter-finals and I am looking forward to working with her in other events,” she added.
Njoroge added that it has not been an easy journey being a female referee because many people tend to believe it is a man’s job.
She said her family never believed in her refereeing career and this almost discouraged her.
“ When I started, there was no female referee and so my family did not believe in me. Getting to the level I am at the moment has not been smooth sailing," she revealed.
She added: "Many people believe this is not a woman’s job but I believe it’s time people know women can also do it. Balancing family and work is also tough because both are very demanding but you have to find ways to maneuver."
