Team Goemkarponn
Panjim: Bringing immense pride to Goa and the port town of Vasco, Shikha Pathak has been appointed as a referee for the 12th edition of The World Games, set to take place in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17.
Pathak, an internationally acclaimed technical official (ITO) in Ju-Jitsu, will be the only Indian representative in the sport at this year’s event. Notably, she is also the first female ITO from Asia to be selected for the prestigious assignment. Among just eight elite officials chosen globally, she is one of only two referees from Asia to officiate in the fighting discipline.
A distinguished figure in the world of martial arts officiating, Pathak currently serves in multiple key roles — as a Technical Commission Member of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, Joint Secretary of the Ju-Jitsu Association of India, and Head Referee for Ju-Jitsu (Fighting Discipline) in Asia. She also holds the status of a certified world referee.
Expressing her excitement, Pathak said, “The World Games represent the highest level of competition for non-Olympic sports. Athletes train for years to qualify through world rankings. Likewise, referees are selected based on consistent top performance at international championships. It’s a dream for every referee to be part of this global stage.”
The World Games, held every four years and recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a major international multi-sport event showcasing disciplines not featured in the Olympics. This year’s edition will host around 5,000 athletes and officials from across the globe.
Shikha Pathak’s selection marks a historic milestone, not just for Goa and India, but for Asia as well.
