Azkals

Rivilla’s first for the Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR: Taking up tough challenges is nothing new for Mary Catherine Rivilla and the Filipina once again proved herself by winning the first ever AFC Women’s Match Commissioner of the Year gong.

The 38-year-old mother of three used her business acumen and management experience while playing the crucial role of a match commissioner in AFC competitions this year.

“I want to excel in everything I do and this really helped,” said Rivilla after receiving the honour from her compatriot Christina Ramos at the 2nd AFC Women’s Awards ceremony on Thursday.

Rivilla is one of the few women match commissioners to have successfully managed men’s competitions including the AFC Champions League clash between Qatar’s Al Sadd and Syrian outfit Al Karama.

The bubbly Filipina was also in charge of four AFC Cup matches including the first leg of the quarter-final between eventual champions Muharraq (Bahrain) and Kedah (Malaysia).

“It’s challenging to be a woman match commissioner in men’s events but I think men listen to us patiently and with respect. Firstly, they greeted me with shock but later appreciate my work,” quipped Rivilla.

“I make sure that I know and respect the culture of the country I am going to for an assignment. I learn from all my experiences and share it with the local officials.”

Another first for Rivilla is that she is the first person from her country to win an award of this magnitude.

“I hope this is just the beginning for the Philippines. Football is not the popular sport in my country but we are trying our best to promote the game and hope that we can make it big in the future AFC events,” she said.

“I expect this award to inspire everyone associated with Filipino football.”

She is also grooming women match commissioners in the Philippines.

“I want more women from my country to be match commissioners. I am training a few and hope they can fill in my shoes in the future because education is nothing if you don’t share it,” said Rivilla.

Source: AFC