HONIARA - Jovita Qilamasala will create history as the first Solomon Islands Woman referee to officiate in a FIFA sanctioned competition.

The FIFA Refereeing Department nominated OFC women match officials in December 2007 and Oilamasala's name was forwarded along with Fiji's Finau Vulivuli (pictured below, second from right) and New Zealand's Jacqueline Stephenson.

Qilamasala and her colleagues will travel to Portugal in March for the Algarve Cup tournament.

OFC Referees Committee spokesman Massimo Raveino says the tournament will be an opportunity for them to be tested for a potential appointment for the next 2008 FIFA U17 and FIFA U20 World Cup.

Raveino urged participating member associations to assist with the preparations of the three match officials.

"Oceania officials have had a solid run of performances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada and FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea last year and this consistency has led to Finau, Jovita and Jacqueline's nomination for the FIFA list.

I think this is a wonderful achievement for OFC match officials generally as well as for the three women.

But the hard work starts now, OFC has a growing reputation for providing FIFA with reliable and fit match officials and I extend my congratulations and best wishes to Finau, Jovita and Jacqueline with the exciting challenge ahead of them," Raveino said.