Uvena Fernandes: An epitome of strength and grace
The Wing Commander international footballer from Goa inspires many on this Women's Day
What is she today?/Who is she today?/A child-bearing machine?/A breadwinner?/A housekeeper?/Or just someone/Who coordinates, helps, mothers, aids others/Who are dependent on her?
~ Dr Annapoorna Ravichander
For Uvena Fernandes, the identity is etched in the sky. Born in Goa’s Palolem village in Canacona, Wing Commander Fernandes was a natural athlete in school.
A student of Pope John XXIII High School, Fernandes was not merely a participant on the track, but also the fastest sprinter in the state during her schooling years, dominating competitions with explosive speed and exceptional endurance.
While athletics brought her early recognition, it was football that truly shaped her destiny. She soon began to shine in the sport, representing Goa at the state level and India at the international level. She also competed at the state level in basketball, handball, football, tennikoit, athletics and volleyball.
She played for the iconic Mohun Bagan club and represented India as a player in prestigious tournaments, including the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. In 2003, she began her refereeing journey, a role that demanded authority, composure and unwavering confidence.
FIFA journey & wings of change
In 2016, Fernandes created history by becoming the first Indian to officiate the final of any FIFA World Cup. She became the first Indian woman to officiate at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and later at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. These milestones elevated Indian football onto the global stage.
After an illustrious 11-year tenure as a FIFA assistant referee, she retired from international refereeing in July 2024. Today, she continues to serve as a mentor, referee instructor and assessor.
Parallel to her sporting achievements ran an equally distinguished professional life. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 15, 2006, as an Administrative and Air Traffic Control Officer, she once again broke barriers. At the Air Force Academy, she became the first and only lady cadet to be appointed as Academy Cadet Captain, the highest cadet appointment and also won the overall best in Outdoor Training for two consecutive terms. Through discipline and perseverance, she brought honour to the nation and later to the Indian Air Force, where she would serve with equal distinction.
As an Air Traffic Control Officer, she has served at Allahabad, Bagdogra, Chabua, Ambala and presently at Air Force Station Yelahanka, maintaining a flawless record of zero incidents or accidents. She also served as Air Force Sports Nodal Officer at Hindan.
Later, she was an instructor at the Airmen Training School, Belagavi. There, she trained the first five batches of Agniveervayu men and women. She was instrumental in setting and shaping the training norms and procedures for women Agniveervayu, thereby creating a structured pathway for future generations of India.
Fernandes’s expertise in sport is strengthened by her completion of the NIS Football Coaching Certificate Course and a Diploma in Sports Nutrition, reflecting her holistic understanding of performance, training and athlete development.
Since 2007, she has been part of the organising team of the prestigious Subroto Cup and also contributed to the organisation of the World Military Games. Her contributions have been widely recognised. She received the Chief of Air Staff Commendation in 2021 and was felicitated by the Raksha Mantri of India and the Chief of the Air Staff in October 2023.
An example for all
In 2021, she was honoured by the Delhi Commission for Women for empowering women and serving as an inspiration to the nation. She was also awarded special recognition by the All India Football Federation in 2017 and the Asian Football Confederation in 2016. She also received the prestigious Bakshi Bahaddar Jivabadada Kerkar State Award from the Government of Goa in 2018.
Fernandes stands as a powerful example for women across India, proving that motherhood strengthens ambition, that responsibility deepens resilience and that a woman can lead in uniform, participate at the highest level of world sport, pursue academic excellence and remain the emotional foundation of her family.
From a young girl in Palolem who faced early adversity to becoming an international footballer, a historic World Cup Final official, a decorated Air Force officer, a qualified coach, a sports administrator, a scholar, a qualified instructor and above all, a devoted mother. Wing Commander Uvena Fernandes embodies resilience in its purest form.
Her life is not merely a story of achievements. It is a message to future generations of India, especially to girls that dream and responsibilities can coexist, that strength and grace can walk together, and that true leadership lies not only in rising to the top, but in balancing, nurturing and inspiring others to believe that nothing is impossible.
