The much-anticipated Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2024-25 season has finally announced its fixtures, marking a significant milestone for women’s football in India.
However, this excitement is dampened by delays and organizational challenges that have raised questions within the football community.
Odisha FC Women’s team, the defending champions, are set to open the season on Friday, January 10, 2025, with a clash against East Bengal FC Women at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
This match, scheduled for 3:00 PM, is one of the marquee fixtures of the opening round and promises to set the tone for the competition.
The IWL was initially set to begin in October 2024, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had earlier announced that the league would span over six months.
This longer duration was seen as a crucial step toward providing consistent, competitive match time for women footballers in India.
However, the league’s postponement to January 2025 has raised concerns about the planning and commitment toward women’s football development.
The rescheduling has forced teams to adjust their preparations, with the six-month league now potentially condensed or rescheduled to accommodate other commitments.
Despite these setbacks, there remains hope that the IWL will provide an essential platform for women’s football in India to grow.
Complete Fixtures:
As the Indian Women’s League enters its 2024-25 season, there is optimism about what it could achieve.
However, these initial delays may act as a stumbling block to the rapid progress that was envisioned for women’s football in the country.