Interview
Shirzanan’s Interview with the only female Iranian referee in Olympics
Becoming an international referee
Shirzanan - Elaheh Habibi: In 2002 Iran’s badminton federation got an invitation letter from Asia’s badminton federation inviting Ms. Haghnejad, the international badminton referee from Iran, for the Athens Olympic games.
She was the only Iranian female referee from Iran ever chosen to go to Olympics; still she gets excited talking bout her experience in Olympics. Today she is the head of the international relations office in Iran’s Badminton Federation. I met her at her office where she warmly went trough an hour interview. What you read is a small part of a life of an international referee.
How come you got invited to Athens Olympic Games?
Two years before the Athens Olympic games, we had our usual annual Fajr International Competitions in Iran. Each year the badminton confederation sends a supervisor for the games, and I am always a referee for the Fajr Competitions. The supervisor from the confederation first met me there and then I was a referee in Asian events, so I was invited. Being chosen as an Olympic referee was overwhelming; I never forget it.
In Badminton did we have any male international referees for Olympics?
As far as I know we haven’t had any so far. In Beijing Olympics we had a male player, but so far there were no badminton referees from Iran in Olympics beside me. There are three men and three women referees from Iran who are known in Asia.
The news about your selection as a referee for Olympics was not distributed or publicized at all, why is that?
It wasn’t like that; the news got everywhere. Today because 4 years has passed perhaps people don’t remember. Four years ago I gave more than 10 interviews in newspapers and TV.
Why this invitation was not repeated again for this year’s Olympic games?
The number of referees needed for Olympics is very small and there are many qualified referees to chose from. The chance of a referee being able to work in more than one Olympics is very low.
What was your outfit in Athens Olympics?
I put a precondition with them that I have to follow my countries regulation in outfit and the Olympics committee accepted it. In Kuwait I worked with Mantua and headscarf; in Olympics they gave us a uniform, which was a suit, and it was easy for me to match a same color scarf with it. There are photos of me in Olympics, which have been published in Iran.
Were you a referee only for women’s badminton games?
No, The male and female competitions are not separated.
What is your occupation now?
Besides my position in Badminton Federation I am an English teacher in High school. I will be 40 soon and I never want to quit my job as a teacher.
Do you think the fact that you know English and can speak it easily helped you in your career as a referee?
Absolutely, that is very important to be able to communicate in English. I always liked being a referee, although it is stressful, for me it is exciting.
What is the average level of female referees in Iran in your view?
The separation between male and female in sports in Iran, kind of helped the women to become independent in being a coach or a referee.
What is a regular salary for a badminton referee?
Well it depends on the level of the game, the length of the competitions and the degree of the referee. I have an international certificate so my salary is more; my salary is about $50 per game. In Olympics and Asian games there is no salary it is the reputation that counts there. No one expects to be paid.
What is the most important characteristic of a referee?
I think Self Confidence is very crucial in being a good referee; and having a clear voice is also important. I am very serious in my job. I am not strict or scary I am just serious.
Does the PEO or the federation support referees?
We are directly connected to Federation and not with the PEO, and I think after 1998, when we started hosting international competitions the federation became more supportive. If the federation doesn’t support a referee, that referee can very easily become eliminated from the international games. They also pay most of our expenses when we get deployed.
