MARGAO
Churchill Brothers FC will represent Goa for the first time in the forthcoming 6th National Indian Women's League (IWL) football championship to be held in Gujarat.
Churchill will represent the State by virtue of being the GFA State League champions of 2022-23. This is the first time that Churchill have ventured into the women's division and have performed with credit, topping the league.
Churchill are placed in Group B with Central Reserve Police Force FC, Eastern Sporting, Sporting Union, Kickstart FC Karnataka, Lords FA YMAA, Odisha FC and Sethu, Madurai.
There will be in all, 15 teams participating in the IWL, with 11 State League champions and the top four teams from last season. The teams are split into two groups with the top three sides from each group competing in a super-six round to determine the champions.
Goa took part in IWL with Panjim Dolhins, Bidesh XI Assonora and FC Shirvodem having represented the State earlier.
Churchill Bros FC squad: Defenders - Laura Estibeiro (Goa), Kulsum Bi Shaikh (Goa), Merecia Franska Tavares (Goa), Nikita Jude (Mumbai), Manju Oraon (Bengal), Radhika Patel (Gujarat), Rebika Oinam (Manipur); Midfielders: Joizima Fernandes (Goa), Arpita Pednekar (Goa), Alisha Tavares (Goa), Mai Devi (Manipur), Madhubala Alawe (MP), Sanathoi Devi (Manipur), Pushpa Parab, Kavita Devi (Haryana); Forwards: Karen Estrocio (Goa), Aniela Barretto (Goa), Mina Khatun (Bengal), Saniya (Haryana), Riya Sharma (HP), Fatima Braganza (Goa); Goalkeepers: Ashika Gadekar (Goa), Prithi Kesarkar (Goa), Yaiphabi Devi (Manipur); Officials: Girijadevi Narayan Desai (head coach), Prakash Khatri (asst coach), Malvita Mascarenhas (manager), Syed Shameer Mukhta (Physio).
