NEW DELHI: India's Uvena Fernandes, who served as an assistant referee at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, has announced her retirement, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Friday.

Uvena became the only Indian assistant referee in a FIFA World Cup final, having officiated at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2016 in Jordan.

Uvena, 43, from Goa, will continue to work as a referee evaluator and trainer.

She said, "I have been a referee for almost 20 years and I feel that I have already done justice to my badge and achieved many achievements in the process. Now, I thought, time to make way for the youth." has come." AIFF release.

Uvena, a senior officer in the Indian Air Force, said, "Since I have already done my job, I thought that youngsters should also get a chance and I can contribute as a coach or evaluator so that I can contribute to the development of Indian football. I can do justice to you." , Said.

Uvena was a member of the elite FIFA panel and officiated in four matches, including the final of the U-17 Women's World Cup in 2016. In the same year, he received the prestigious AFC Special Referee Award.

She also umpired in two Asian Games and four Women's Asian Cups.

Uvena competed for India at the 2003 AFC Championship against Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Later, he started refereeing.