In Singapore, 29-year-old Abirami Naidu is the nation's first female referee to be accredited by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Ms Naidu was part of the Singapore women's national football team from 1998 to 2008 before she took up refereeing. She has since officiated in S-League matches and even in the Asian Games in China in 2010.

Last year, she became Singapore's first female referee to officiate at a FIFA international event, the U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan. In the tournament she took charge of matches of big-name teams such as the US, Germany and Nigeria.

This year, she will travel to Costa Rica in March-April to officiate in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Ms Naidu is an officer in the Singapore Police Force and juggles her career and passion for football almost to perfection.

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