``One has to be upright in what he is doing, especially when it is the role of a judge,'' says Ashokan, an employee of the Air Force in Pune.

Nothing can force him to go against the rules of the game. In one such incident, in the ongoing late Anthony (Maharaj) football tournament, he was forced to send a player out of the field during the tie-breaker, because he could not sit while the either teams were taking the shoot-outs.

There have been many more such incidents where Ashokan has come to the rescue of the game.

``He is definitely the best official around and a boost to the game,'' says a member of the Poona District Football Association. As many youngsters have joined the refereeing fold, Ashokan's presence will definitely promote them in the ethics of refereeing in the city.

Nevertheless Ashokan too has faltered, but he recovers to make amends to the same and never gets carried away with his good deeds.

Ashokan started playing national football in the year 1986, as a member of the Air Force camp and six years later he became a regular member of the team.

After passing as a Class I official, Ashokan has officiated over six nationals and is assigned for the forthcoming Subroto Mukerjee Nationals to be held in Delhi in October this year.

He has all the qualities of a referee and a player. As a referee he makes sure he is in a good position to do justice to the teams, and as a player he follows the ball as any other dedicated footballer would.

A custodian for the Indian Air Force team, Ashokan leaves for Delhi to join the team for the forthcoming Inter-Services championship later this month.