Uganda’s woman referee Diana Mukasa has been selected to officiate at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan. Mukasa is one of the only three referees appointed from the entire African continent. Others from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region are Aissata Amegee (Togo) and Emmanuella Aglago from Ghana.
Edgar Watson, the chief executive officer Federation of Uganda Football Association says the appointment is a very big breakthrough for women referees and hopes Diana Mukasa will do well and carry the Ugandan flag high. The list has 14 referees and 28 assistants in total but three of these (one referee and two assistants) are a reserve trio from UEFA.
An official communication from the World governing body FIFA signed by the Secretary General Jerome Valckle, indicates that the competition matches will run from September 22 to October 13th. But prior to this, the pre-competition activities will be conducted from September 16 to 21.
All match officials including Mukasa are expected to arrive in Baku on September 16. FIFA has warned that no match official is supposed to be accompanied by any other person during their entire assignment with FIFA. FIFA has further directed that all referees and their assistants undergo medical assessments from their respective home countries in accordance with the FIFA Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) Form.
According to the communication, once found unfit or injured upon her arrival in Baku, FIFA will send back the referee at the expense of the concerned member association. Mukasa who also officiated at the 2012 Algarve Cup in Portugal becomes the second Uganda referee after Ali Tomusange to officiate at the World Cup tournaments.
