After the completion of the course, Pandey will be eligible to officiate the highest level of international football. "ANFA handed me the letter from AFC a couple of days ago," said Pandey about his selection for the panel. [break]
Currently there are 76 referees in the Elite Panel. Pandey will be able to officiate international matches until he turns 45.
Pandey also became the first Nepali referee to make it to the Elite Referee Panel of AFC through the process of exam of AFC and the second Nepali referee. Earlier, Gyaniraja Shrestha was the only Nepali referee to get the honor. Shrestha retired from the refereeing job in 2010.
"There was no provision of exam while Shrestha was nominated in the panel. He was nominated on ANFA´s recommendation," said Pandey describing his selection in the panel as a big achievement.
"My inclusion in the panel is the success of all Nepali referees. I want to thank other referees, instructor and ANFA for this great achievement," said Pandey who got the FIFA referee batch in 2011.
After Paney´s inclusion in the Elite panel, it will open the door for two assistant referees and a fourth official in the panel of AFC Elite Assistant Referee and fourth official.
One must be below 35 years to be named in the Elite Panel and same rule follows for the assistant referee as well as fourth official.
Pandey who started referring career in 2004 became national referee the following year and was selected for AFC Project Future Referee Course in 2006. After eight different trainings at various places from 2007- 09 he was graduated from AFC. He got the FIFA Referee batch in 2011.
According to Pandey, ANFA had sent his name to AFC after they had asked for recommendation. Members of AFC referee committee had come for the assessment during the final match of British Gurkha Cup and the Super League match. They had also conducted written exam.
Pandey has been named one of the six referees to officiate SAFF Championship beginning on Saturday at the Dasharath Stadium. The friendly between Nepal and Bangladesh was the first international match he officiated.
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