PANJIM: Shikha Pathak from Vasco has been appointed as a Head Referee of the Fighting Ju-Jitsu discipline of Asia by Ju-Jitsu Asian Union. JJAU is the legal body for Ju-Jitsu in Asia and a Member of the Olympic council of Asia it is recognised by Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
The Ju-Jitsu Asian Union is currently contemplating five different types of disciplines at the Asia level which is the duo discipline, show discipline, fighting discipline, Jiu Jitsu discipline, and contact discipline.
Shikha has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the Referee Education Development Programme of fighting disciplines from 44 countries from East, West, Central, South west of Asia.
Speaking to the O Heraldo, Shikha said, “I am feeling proud that being a woman, I have got such a big responsibility. This is the post of a leader who is full of responsibilities and challenges. This ability has been chosen without considering the gender, for me there can be no greater achievement than this. My duty will be to train new officials to advance referees education development.Pushing new referee’s motivating and guiding them to learn better programme in Asia to work on both quality and competence of referees”.
Keeping in mind the performance, experience of the last few years and the qualification of Shikha, the Asian Federation has assigned this responsibility. Shikha is the first person from Asia and India to get this HEAD referee position for the first time.
Shikha had made many achievements in her name last year like she was the first Asian referee to be selected for the fighting discipline at the World Combat Games, Riyadh as part of the International Technical Official. First Indian referee to be selected for Sea Games Cambodia.
Last year Shikha represented India in all the international events on international platforms as a referee like the adult Ju-Jitsu world championship, magnolia, youth Ju-Jitsu world championship, Kazakhstan, Thailand JJIF grand prix, world contact cup, Thailand etc many other championships. Shikha was selected for the upcoming World and Youth Ju-Jitsu Championship to be held in Greece.
