FAS referee executive Shamsul Maidin has been named among the 23 international referees selected to officiate at the World Cup finals.

The 40-year old was selected from among 44 candidates by the Fifa Referees Committee, who judged them based on their performances during Fifa competitions, continental championships and national leagues over the past 18 months.

Also, the 44 referees underwent comprehensive medical checks, fitness tests and psychological interviews during two Fifa workshops in Frankfurt earlier this year (the first from Feb 12 to 16 2006, the second from March 21 to 25 2006), through which they were further assessed.

Eventually, only two referees were selected from Asia. Besides Shamsul, the other is Japan's Toru Kamikawa.

"It's a dream come true for me, definitely," said Shamsul in a phone interview. "It's every referee's dream to be able to officiate at the World Cup and the feeling of elation is even greater when you come from a small country like Singapore."

Set to assist him in his refereeing duties in Germany are Parcayah from Thailand, Begench from Turkmenistan and Saeed from the Maldives. However, Shamsul says the assistant referees will be undergoing a series of fitness tests in April before their positions are confirmed proper.

Shamsul is only the second Singaporean referee to head to the World Cup Finals, following George Suppiah in 1974, who officiated the finals held in then-West Germany.

From everyone at FAS and all Singaporeans, congratulations on your achievement Shamsul.