BARBADOS’ lone female football referee Gillian Martindale will preside over the inaugural KFC Kick It football competition scheduled for August 8 at the Wildey astroturf.The 36-year-old Martindale will also be in charge of the Masters exhibition game between rivals Wadadah and Wales at 4 p.m. that precedes the Kick It action which will feature 18 participants randomly selected after purchasing a KFC Big Box Meal competing for $10 000 in cash. Although diminutive in size, Martindale is confident of having total control of the proceedings.“Some players will do anything to win.
As a referee it is my responsibility to protect the game from violent behaviour, to ensure the safety of the teams and officials on and off the field and to ensure that the game is played within the spirit of fair play . . . although KFC Kick It is a fun competition I will still make sure it is fairly conducted,” Martindale said.Martindale has been on the world’s governing body for football since 2009. Her recent duties included the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Finals in Guatemala City and the CFU Women’s Gold Cup Finals in Trinidad and Tobago.Several attractive spectator prizes are being offered by the organisations that are supporting the family evening which will also have children’s attractions on the smaller warm-up field.Three 40-inch televisions donated by Courts (Barbados) Ltd, vouchers from Sports & Games, cases of Kick energy drink and KFC premiums can be won by lucky spectators who attend KFC Kick It.KFC’s marketing coordinator Shekelia Barrow is excited about having the expertise of such a distinguished referee. (PR)
