With the Indian Super League getting a grand success in the opening season and football becoming a popular sport, it was thought that we are going to see a football revolution in the country but it seems that being a football referee in India is not enough to pay the bills.
MB Santhosh Kumar is one of only six referees from India accredited by FIFA but the 40-year old has to drive an auto-rickshaw to make ends meet.
“Refereeing is not a reliable field. Professionally accredited referees do receive remunerations, but tough for others. If we do not pass the fitness test, it is nearly impossible to come back to the field," Santhosh Kumar told thenewsminute.com.
Kumar has been named the best referee by the AlFF for a second year running and he referees close to 150 games a year.
He has been refereeing football matches for 20 years and has been part of some memorable matches. Kumar refereed in the National Games in China in 2013 and the Nehru Cup in 2012, and was also there in India captain Baichung Bhutia’s farewell game against Bayern Munich in 2011.
Kumar, despite all adversities, looks positive about the future of the game in India and says the quality of the game has improved recently.
“We performed well in the ISL recently. Compared to international teams, quality is not up to the mark, but when compared with our previous record, we have definitely come a long way,” said Kumar.
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