Interview
An interview with the first international female Volleyball referee in Iran
Women’s volleyball speed is not high!
Shirzanan– Fereshteh Movahed: “ I was the first veiled woman that the international volleyball federation accepted as a referee. When I ruled that game, everyone was surprised that I don’t have anything less than other referees in my technique and style” says Sadigheh Hatam Abady, the international volleyball referee and the first Muslim woman who worked in International Asian matches.
She was born in 1971. For 10 years she was a member of Iran women’s national volleyball team and from 1989 she became a referee as well.
Why did you choose to become a referee and work on it from the beginning?
I think personal interest is very important. I was very interested in becoming a referee. We have enough female coaches but not enough female referees in Iran.
Which one do you think is more stressful being a referee or being a coach?
unlike what it looks, being a referee can be very stressful. The two teams put their faith in a referee’s judgment. I have to confess though being a coach is much harder. A coach should coordinate between 12 different player in order to win.
What we the hardest match you ruled?
For getting my international certificate I had to work and judge all the games of the primary league in Bahrain. That particular competition had 5 games. It was really hard. And in Iran I can say the match between Zob-e Ahan and Sipa in primary league was the hardest.
Has a player ever offended you?
Fortunately no, in Volleyball I beleive we have a very well behaved audience and players.
Have you ever made any mistakes in your works?
Yes, a referee’s errors are part of the game. I remember last year in Thailand I didn’t have a good look at the ball and I counted it as out but the ball was in. One of the teams lost because of this and their coach was very angry.
How did you feel when you first entered an international field with headscarf?
I was very excited and happy. I was the first Muslim female who was referee in an important game. I was stressed out as well but mostly happy; I was opening the way for others to come.
What are your plans for younger generation of referees?
Our referees should register for the classes in Asian federation for three consecutive years. They need to be under 40 and active in Iran. We have 12 referees who are ready for this certificate.
In which level are our female referees?
They are in a very good level considering our situation.
What situation?
women’s speed in volleyball is much lower in Iran compare to other international games. We have to practice more and we need to rule on men’s matches as well to become experts in high-speed games.
Can it be done? Can a woman be a referee in a male game?
I believe we are able. We started as a bench referee in an Asian young boy’s volleyball competition last year. It was very well received.
How does the volleyball federation feel about women being referees in men’s game?
they are very supportive. We are really being helped. If we improve our abilities like this, sooner or later we will have good results.
