MARGAO
India women’s team coach Crispin Chhetri dedicated the team’s qualification for the AFC Women’s Championship qualifiers to all those who have worked relentlessly to promote and grow women’s football in the country.
“I’m honestly short of words right now,” Chhetri said after the landmark achievement. “But I want to sincerely thank all the Indian Women’s League (IWL) club owners for believing in the women’s game and helping it grow. This success wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of the coaches in the IWL and, of course, the players. The IWL has become a massive platform for Indian football.”
Reflecting on the current state of the sport in India, Chhetri acknowledged the wider struggles but remained hopeful. “We’re going through a tough phase in Indian football — not just in the women’s game, but across the board. That said, we’ve set a new standard and built a strong foundation. The next step is to create a real football culture, one that has passionate fans and long-term support.”
Chhetri made a heartfelt appeal to the football community: “I urge fans to continue supporting football — whether it’s the men’s or women’s teams. Every sport has its ups and downs. The men’s team is facing a challenging period, and the women’s side is working hard to climb back. But this is all part of the journey. There are no failures in sport — only learning and growth.”
He concluded with a call to action: “Keep supporting the girls. They’re giving their all for the country.”
