MARGAO
The AIFF has announced the start of Under-17 Women's League which will be held in association with the Sports Authority of India. With the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup slated in a month's time, the AIFF has plans to promote the event by conducting matches in 40 places across India in association with SAI.
"In association with the centre and SAI, we will have at least 40 matches in 40 places so as to promote the event and make people aware of the World Cup," Kalyan Chaubey, AIFF president said in a press conference.
"During my tenure as the president of the GFA, we had launched the first women’s league in Goa which brought out nearly 200 young women players into active football. So it is good that AIFF has decided to start an U-17 tournament at the national level. Whether doing it with SAI which is a multidisciplinary govt agency will help or with member associations would have to be seen," said Elvis Gomes, former president of Goa Football Association.
"Sports Authority of India is a renowned sports association, having best of the infrastructure. So its a good start," said Alvito D'Cunha, former India midfielder.
"India is going to be the platform for women’s football due to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022. Many people in India don’t know about women’s football but with this tournament being telecast on television, the people in many parts of our country will get to know how far women’s football can go. It is a great opportunity for the future of Indian women’s football," said Mahesh Gawli, former India central midfielder.
"Girls will develop the professional competition mindset at an early stage. They should start with even more lower age groups. This is much needed in women’s football if we want to have players to represent our nation at World Cup," said Girija Devi Dessai, coach of Sirvodem Sports Club.
