Mechievilie Yashü, a football referee from Nagaland, has successfully passed both the fitness test and theory exam for the AIFF LEVEL 5 Referee certification. While he awaits a practical exam to confirm his status as a national referee, Yashü is poised to become the first referee from Nagaland to achieve this distinction.
Yashü cleared the AIFF LEVEL 5 Referee exam at LNIPE, Gwalior, conducted on April 15 and 17, 2024. The results were declared on April 23, placing him among the 23 candidates from across the country who successfully cleared the exam.
According to Joy Chandra Singh, the Zonal Referee Development Officer for the North East Zone, the theory exam was particularly challenging, and Yashü’s success in it was commendable. Singh was optimistic that Yashü would be able to complete his practical exam with flying colors. For the practical exam, the qualified referees will be given a chance to officiate in a recognized AIFF tournament, and the results will be announced thereafter, he informed.
Hailing from Dihoma village in the Kohima district, 38-year-old Yashü embarked on his refereeing journey in 2019 under the guidance of AIFF referee instructor Joy Chandra Singh, who introduced the Referee Identification Number (RIN) initiative in Nagaland. Yashü progressed to achieve the Referee Identification Number (RIN) Category 4 (CAT 4) in 2021, marking him as the first football referee from Nagaland to attain this level under the All India Football Federation. Prior to his refereeing career, Yashü played as a defensive midfielder for New Market FC and Life Sports FC for about ten years starting in 2003.
In an interview with Mokokchung Times, Yashü said, “I am extremely grateful to God for His unfailing love and mercies and for guiding me through my journey. My journey would not have been possible without the support and nurturing of you all.”
According to the AIFF website, AIFF LEVEL 5 Referees are eligible to officiate all national-level matches. To maintain eligibility, the referee must be active in their state for 365 days as a LEVEL 6 Referee or assistant referee and must officiate at least 30 matches at the top level of their state league before the state nominates an individual for the CAT-2 Exam conducted by the AIFF. Referees must clear all four stages —Fitness Test, Theory Exam, Viva OC, and Practical— to become a LEVEL 5 Referee.
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