A top local female soccer referee has been called upon on international duty to officiate at the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.
Nagarita Jimmy is amongst two others in the Oceania Confederation which have been selected for this FIFA sanctioned tournament, according to a statement by Oceania Confederation yesterday.
New Zealand referee Anna-Marie Keighley and Lata I Sia Kaumatule of Tonga complete the trio for this competition.
Jimmy and Kaumatule join 26 other colleagues from around the football world in the pool of assistant referees.
Anna-Marie Keighley has experience officiating in New Zealand’s ASB Premiership domestic men’s competition. Keighley also refereed the Football Ferns internationals with China in 2012.
Solomon Islands Football (SIFF) spokesperson told Star Sports Ms Nagarita’s participation as assistant referee at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is still uncertain.
“At this stage, we cannot preempt her participation because there are technical matters regarding her fitness that needs to be tested first.”
He said she has to go through a fitness test first and if she did pass the test, she will definitely be qualified to officiate as assistant referee at the world cup.
According to SIFF’s spokesperson Ms Nagarita will undergo a fitness test today and if she passes, she will definitely go.
OFC is represented at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup by New Zealand’s Junior Ferns who make their fourth consecutive appearance at the finals since 2008.
The Young Football Ferns first match is with Paraguay at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in Tibas on 16 March.
The tournament kicks off on 15 March 2014 in the city of San José when hosts Costa Rica take on Venezuela and Italy meet Zambia.
By Bradford Theonomi
