A remarkable chapter in Indian and Parsi sporting history was etched with the recent selection of Mumbai-based Football Administrator, Shirzad Bhathena, to the prestigious Match Commissioner panel of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This makes Shirzad the first Indian-Parsi Zoroastrian to achieve this distinction, placing him among a select group overseeing football across 47 Asian nations.

A Match Commissioner oversees all match operations at the venue. Duties include pre-match checks, safety and facility readiness, rule compliance, player verification, kit approval, match oversight, crowd and team conduct monitoring, incident handling, official reporting and coordination between federations, organisers and officials to ensure smooth and fair competition.

Shirzad Bhathena’s journey began three decades ago on the grounds of Nowroze Baug and in school tournaments at Christ Church High School. He went on to play for Café Royal in the MDFA Third Division and represented Nowroze Baug and THSC in All Parsees tournaments for nearly twenty years. A chance conversation with referees during a local event in 1996 inspired him to pursue officiating, leading him to qualify as a State Referee at age 18.

He continued advancing through his engineering days at M H Saboo Siddik College and later built a long career with the Godrej group. Recognition came early, as he earned the Bombay Referees Association’s Referee of the Year awards in three consecutive years. In 2002, he became one of the youngest National Referees of the time, officiating major tournaments such as the I-League, Federation Cup and Santosh Trophy.

After contributing to local administration between 2012 and 2016, Bhathena transitioned to the AIFF Match Commissioner panel, where he supervised matches in the Indian Super League and national competitions. International exposure followed through the Intercontinental Cup, SAFF seminars and finally the AFC examinations in 2025, where he ranked seventh among 53 candidates.

His debut AFC assignment in Thailand during the U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers crowned a milestone moment for him and the community. Bhathena says this achievement reflects the values and discipline gained while growing up in Nowroze Baug and hopes it inspires others to pursue their passions alongside academics and careers.