The Federation of International Football Associations has selected India's first woman referee Bentla D'Couth to officiate at the Olympic football tournament at Athens from August 11 to 28.
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"This is a great achievement for Indian football, especially for Kerala, as this is the first time in the history of Indian football an Indian woman will figure in the Olympics," said a statement from the Kerala Footbal Association.
Since becoming a referee in 2000, the 34-year-old Bentla has officiated many international tournaments, including the Asian Games, Pre-Olympic tournament in Fiji and Japan and South East ASEAN Games.
She is presently in China officiating at Asian women's under-19 tournament, which began today.
India has only two FIFA referees. The other is Anamika Sen, who was granted FIFA recognition this year only.