Tuesday 07 / July / 2026
Muscat: 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 honour 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.
