Women’s Refereeing in Omani Football: A Rising Presence & Global
Aspirations

Muscat, 7 July 2026 (ONA) – Omani international referee
Maryam Salim Al Hadrami has successfully established a distinguished presence
in the field of football officiating at both domestic and international levels.
Her journey, which began with a passion for the game, has evolved into a
professional career through which she has carried the name of the Sultanate of
Oman across numerous continental and international tournaments.

In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), International
Referee Maryam Al Hadrami stated that her journey into refereeing originated
from her profound interest in football and her desire to be an integral part of
the sport. She noted that her deep immersion in the laws and intricacies of the
game steered her toward the field of officiating, which she described as
“a comprehensive school in discipline, fairness and accountability.”

She further elaborated that she enrolled in the refereeing
courses organized by Oman Football Association and began officiating local
matches progressively starting in 2015, before attaining the international
badge in 2020—a milestone she emphasized as a pivotal turning point in her
athletic career.

Al Hadrami explained that reaching the international refereeing
level represents both an honor and a national responsibility, particularly
given her representation of the Sultanate of Oman in Asian and international
tournaments for both women and men, including the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the
AFC Asian Cup qualifiers for men. She affirmed that these participations have
significantly refined her technical and physical expertise while affording her
the opportunity to represent her nation in the most exemplary manner.

Addressing the challenges encountered, she indicated that
women’s refereeing, in its early stages, faced some societal skepticism given
the novelty of the experience for Omani women. Nevertheless, the support she
received from her family and the Omani football system served as a driving
force for perseverance and for transforming challenges into achievements.

She emphasized that a successful referee requires thorough
preparation, self-confidence and the ability to maintain focus and composure
during matches. She clarified that officiating demands sustained effort to
preserve physical and mental readiness, alongside the capacity to balance
personal life with the requirements of athletic commitments.

She stated that Omani women have proven their presence and
excellence across various domains of football—whether as players, coaches,
administrators, or referees—expressing her pride in the athletic
accomplishments Omani women have achieved at both the regional and
international levels.

Regarding the future of women’s refereeing in the Sultanate of
Oman, She conveyed her optimism for a promising future, given the growing
support that sports institutions are directing toward the development of female
personnel. She affirmed that the coming years will witness an even more
prominent presence of Omani female referees across various sporting arenas.

She underscored the pivotal role of sports institutions in
supporting female referees through the provision of continuous training and
development programs, facilitating participation opportunities in domestic and
international tournaments and camps, and fostering an enabling environment that
bolsters confidence and contributes to the enhancement of technical and
physical capabilities.

She affirmed that football has taught her that success is not a
matter of chance, but rather the outcome of persistent effort, patience and
determination. It has also reinforced in her the values of discipline,
responsibility and teamwork. She added that the challenges she encountered
throughout her career have served as significant milestones for learning,
growth and character development.

— Ends/AH