Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Sachiko Yamagishi’s status as unquestionably the finest female match official of her generation has been recognised once again, with the 40-year-old from Japan receiving the AFC Women’s Referee of the Year award from the fifth time in a remarkable career.
Yamagishi, who first won up the prestigious individual accolade in 2008 and then consecutively since 2010 after Korea Republic’s Hong Eun-ha got the nod in 2009, saw off the challenge of Thai referee Pannipar Kamnueng and Malaysia’s Rita binti Ghani to claim this year’s prize.
“I am also excited to win the award again but this is not for me but all referees in Asia because we always work together to improve ourselves,” Yamagishi said after receiving the 2013 AFC Women’s Referee of the Year award from AFC Executive Committee Member Ali Azim.
“There's no secret to Japan winning this award time and again but fitness is very important. We try to do our best every time, to train hard every day and to have a positive attitude,” Yamagishi continued.
“I would advise girls who are interested to take up refereeing to enjoy football, refereeing and life.”