Mrinal Kanti Roy, the unassuming FIFA assistant referee from Silchar, has traversed a long distance from the colour and brush of a painter to the whistle and “black attire” of a football referee. Roy takes time off from his hectic schedule as commercial painter, secretary of the Silchar Football Academy and a full-time referee to speak to The Telegraph. Excerpts

How did you begin refereeing?

It began when I was training at the Town Club ground in Silchar. I was asked to take the field as assistant referee (then linesman) by referee Prabhas Das. Later, I took a diploma in refereeing from the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Calcutta, in 1997.

What is your biggest achievement as referee?

Conducting the World Cup 2002 qualifying round matches as assistant referee at Damman in Saudi Arabia, featuring four teams from Vietnam, Mongolia, Bangladesh and the hosts. I officiated in the Bordoloi Trophy in Guwahati, the Federation Cup in Chennai, the IFA Shield in Calcutta and the national league decisive match in 2001.

Is it difficult to conduct an international match?

Competitive football is getting tougher. Hence, it is becoming difficult to cope with the pressure. Conducting slow-paced national-level matches is comparatively easier than the high-speed international ones.

What are the pre-requisites of a good referee?

A good referee should know the rules of the game, the 17 rules of refereeing and read the game well. A referee must possess “big match temperament”.

Are Indian referees efficient in “big international matches”?

The fact that six out of 10 Indian referees get a call to conduct international matches is an indication that we have some good referees. However, we are lagging behind the European and Latin American referees.

Tell us about your friend Kamaleswaran Sankar, who was an assistant referee in the World Cup 2002.

Sankar is an experienced, hard working referee. He has a great match-reading capability. I should mention that there are many other good referees like him in our country.

Are Indian referees exposed to modern technology?

India has 14 referees, including a woman referee. But we have not been exposed to modern technology.

What is the standard of refereeing in Asia?

The standard of refereeing will increase when the standard of football improves. Ali Bussain of UAE had conducted the semi-final between Brazil and Holland in France ’98 and opening match between Senegal and France in Korea-Japan. He is the top-ranked Asian referee.

What is your next goal?

To get a call from FIFA or AFC to conduct matches in the World Cup and Olympics.