Rebecca Kits Jakhalu
Kohima | February 27
The much-anticipated Nagaland Super League (NSL) which kicked off on January 28 has so far provided fans with exciting, entertaining, and thrilling football.
However, the first edition of the NSL is not just about the fanfare or the excellent gameplays.
As the camera shifts from the players to the sidelines, the spotlight lands on Mhasikhonuo Paünuo. Flag in hand, she strides confidently onto the field and takes her position as one of the match officials.
What makes her presence unmissable is that the 26-year-old is the lone female assistant referee in the inaugural season of the Nagaland Super League.
A Category 6 referee, Mhasikhonuo, or Mhasi, as she is fondly known, is also vying to become a national-level referee.
Her love affair with the game began at an early age, and she would often be found playing football with her brother and other boys in her village.
Hailing from Kijümetouma village in Kohima district, Mhasi’s dreams as a footballerstarted taking shape, and she joined the girls’ football academy in 2012. She also fulfilled her aim to represent Nagaland, with the most recent outing as a state player in the first Sentinel Northeast Cup 2024.
“Throughout my journey as a player, I did not come across many female match officials. And even in Nagaland, I was yet to see female referees in the frontline. This made me curious and eager to take up the referee certification course,” Mhasikhonuo shares with The Morung Express.
And thus began her transition from player to referee, as she decided to be a part of the game in a different way. In a field dominated by men, her resilience and strength of character helped forge her path forward. The support from her family, friends, and mentors also kept her going.
And soon, she found herself officiating matches in local tournaments and leagues.
“I have lost count of the matches that I have officiated, although all of them have been for local matches and tournaments,” she remarks.
“I feel very happy and honored to be given the opportunity,” Mhasi says on being called up as a match official for the NSL. “Being given the chance, and to be here as the only female assistant referee is a big responsibility and I will be giving my best,” she adds.
But compared to the previous matches Mhasi has officiated in, the Nagaland Super League poses a bigger challenge.
While it is not easy being the only woman in the role, Mhasi does it with grace and professionalism. “Officiating professional matches like this is not an easy task. Sometimes, the energy in the stadium, and the fast-paced nature of the game do get overwhelming. But remaining calm under pressure is what we are trained to do, and that is what I always remember,” Mhasi shares.
Her calm demeanor, decision-making, and understanding of the game have earned her a spot as a respected official in the league.
Referee instructor at AIFF and Zonal Referee Development Officer (ZRDO) for the North East Zone, Joychandra Singh, also expresses optimism that with hard work and determination, Mhasi is among those from Nagaland with the potential to clear the upcoming national-level referee exams.
Welcoming the introduction of the league, Mhasi shares that it is an enriching experience. “Having our own professional league is helping us learn a lot more and I really appreciate the platform this league is providing to not only players, but match officials like me,” she says.
As Mhasi continues to officiate matches in the Nagaland Super League, she is aware that she is not only representing herself, but also the dreams of all the women aiming to break barriers.
On being asked what message she wants to convey, Mhasi says,”I want to let everyone know that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible,” adding that she wants to inspire young girls and women to take up refereeing and to pursue their dreams.
“I hope to see a future where there are more women referees not only in the NSL, but beyond,” she says. “While it is nice to be the first, I hope I will not be the only one,” she adds, sharing her aim to pave the way, and create space for others like her to join and thrive.
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