Nepal’s First Female FIFA Referee Who Broke Barriers 30 Years Ago

Long before women’s football took shape in Nepal, one woman stepped onto the pitch and into history — Kalpana Sharma from Hetauda, Nepal’s first female FIFA referee.

Back in the day, there wasn’t even a national women’s football team in Nepal. But that didn’t stop Kalpana. Her passion for the game caught attention early on, and her journey from player to pioneer referee inspired generations to follow.

Kalpana became a FIFA-certified referee in 1999 and held the badge proudly until 2015. During her 16-year career on the international stage, she officiated major tournaments including Asian Games, SAFF Championships, and other prestigious fixtures — representing Nepal at a time when few women were visible in football.

Now, she continues to shape the future of refereeing in Nepal as a Referee Assessor, guiding and mentoring the next generation of whistle-blowers.

Kalpana’s legacy isn’t just about being first — it’s about being fearless.