Yet another proud moment for Coimbatore and the District Football Association, is a referee from the city who played a vital role in the Indian Super League (ISL).

C.R. Sri Krishna (38), who has 17 years of experience in this profession, is the first-ever Coimbatore based referee to be a part of the ISL. Sri Krishna, who resides in Ramanathapuram, had started his referee career with the Coimbatore District Football Association (CDFA) in 1999. In 2001, he became a national referee.

“Refereeing is an art. In 2011, a dream came true for me when I became one of the qualified referees of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA),” he said. Sri Krishna also owns a fabrication and sports equipment manufacturing company.

About ISL, he said, “The level of football is completely changed now. It is a big tournament and there is more pressure on the referees. Each and every decision should be judged properly. Players cooperate only when the decisions are made properly,” he said.

“Referees from the other countries are very calm and the way they control the match is absolutely awesome. They are very different from us on professional levels. The standards of Indian football should be improved,” he admitted.

“I see youngsters with lots of skills. They should also focus on fitness and endurance if they want to improve their football standards,” he said. “The Indian Super League has created an impact on the youngsters of Coimbatore. Football has suddenly become popular now,” concluded Sri Krishna.