Kulgam, Jan 21: Fayaz Ahmad Pala (52), a Physical Education Teacher (PET) from Kulgam district of South Kashmir, has brought laurels to the department of Youth Services and Sports by serving as an international field official at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025.
Hailing from Nowpora, Akhran, Pala is currently posted at Government Girls High School, Khanabal. “To officiate at such a prestigious event, one must first qualify a referee examination, which is conducted at the all-India level. I passed this examination in 2018, and since then, I have been invited to officiate matches at senior and junior nationals,” he told Rising Kashmir.
Pala said that participation in such events serves as a stepping stone for officials to be graded and eventually selected for international tournaments.
“This was the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, and I was privileged to serve as an international technical official for the first time. It was a remarkable experience to be part of such a significant event,” he said.
Over the years, Pala has officiated in senior, junior, sub-junior, and state-level tournaments. In the Kho Kho World Cup 2025, he officiated 15 league matches, as well as the quarterfinal and semifinal.
“Each match requires five field officials on the ground, commonly referred to as referees, and I was one of them,” he said. “In addition to Kho Kho, I have also served as a referee in netball, kabaddi, and other games and I am committed to promote the sports and passionate about sports officiating.”
