Refereeing in football is often a solitary journey, but for Neeshil and Rakesh Varman, it has been a shared passion spanning decades.
The father-son duo from Fiji attended the OFC/FIFA Elite Refereeing Seminar in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where they reflected on their unique journey in the sport.
For Neeshil, an OFC badge referee, this seminar was a milestone.
“This seminar is quite a breakthrough for all of us elite referees. It’s been a long time since all the top referees from OFC, both male and female, have been brought together. This is my first time attending, thanks to Fiji Football Association and OFC,” Neeshil said.
Neeshil expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow.
“I want to thank the OFC department for bringing us together. This experience has given us a deeper understanding of the expectations in modern football and what we need to work on to elevate our refereeing standards,” he added.
His journey began when he was a teenager in year 8 at school, when he first stepped onto the pitch as a referee under the guidance of his father, Rakesh. A former FIFA referee, and now a FIFA Referee Instructor, Rakesh has been both mentor and coach to Neeshil throughout his career.
“I wanted to play football, but my father said, ‘You can play, but also come and try refereeing.’ So I started going to matches with him. Sometimes, I officiated games, and eventually, I became his assistant. When he retired in 2016, he took on the role of my assessor,” Neeshil recalled.
Now, their roles have evolved. Rakesh is the Referee Development Officer (RDO) for the Cook Islands, while Neeshil is a elite referee in Fiji. Despite the distance, their bond remains strong, with constant communication over WhatsApp.
“He always assesses and coaches me, helping me improve and navigate challenges. It’s never easy, but that’s how we grow as referees,” Neeshil said.
Refereeing is no easy task, and Rakesh acknowledges the difficulties that come with the job.
“We want referees to be as close to error-free as possible. When mistakes happen, we correct them immediately, whether on the field, at home, or during training sessions,” Rakesh explained. “A referee needs to have thick skin. People will always criticise decisions, but that’s part of the game.”
For Neeshil, family support has been crucial.
“My mum, my wife, my kids, and my friends always support me. They come to watch the games, even when the decisions we make aren’t popular. That’s the reality of football,” he said.
Despite the pressures, Rakesh takes pride in his son’s progress.
“I started as a FIFA referee, then became an RDO, and now I’m a FIFA instructor. It’s not an easy path; you have to keep learning, adapting to new technologies, modern refereeing concepts, and standards. But I love it, and I’m proud of Neeshil for carrying on the legacy,” Rakesh said.
For Neeshil, the challenge extends beyond the football pitch. As a medical professional, balancing work, family, and refereeing is demanding.
“Being a doctor, being on call for 12-hour shifts, and still making time for training and refereeing is tough. Refereeing is not just about officiating matches; it requires fitness, knowledge, and continuous learning,” he said.
Despite the challenges, his goal remains clear: to become a FIFA referee.
“I am grateful to Fiji Football and the referees’ committee for supporting my journey. I also thank OFC and its instructors for this invaluable seminar. Now, I know what I need to do to reach the next level,” Neeshil said.
As Rakesh and Neeshil continue their refereeing journeys, their story stands as an inspiring testament to dedication, mentorship, and the enduring bond of family in football.
Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek