Indian soccer has witnessed an extraordinary 138 for each cent surge in women’s player registrations more than the earlier two years, underscoring a exceptional rise in the sport’s popularity and the rising participation of young woman athletes in specialist football.
Info from the All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) Central Registration Technique (CRS) reveals that India now offers 27,936 registered woman footballers as of March 2024, marking a considerable leap from the 11,724 registered players recorded in June 2022.
The surge in registrations has been hailed as a important accomplishment by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, “It’s a quite constructive craze we are witnessing in India,” Chaubey remarked.
Vital measures highlighted by Chaubey incorporate a revamp of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) through the 2023-24 season, which include the introduction of a 2nd division level of competition, IWL-2. He also emphasised the effect of are living broadcasts in elevating the sport’s profile nationwide.
The evolution of the IWL has been a pivotal part of this expansion trajectory. The transition from a single-location format to a ‘home-and-away’ composition for the 2023-24 season obtained prevalent acclaim from clubs, gamers, and fans alike. This season witnessed Odisha FC arise triumphant, ending Gokulam Kerala FC’s a few-year dominance, earning the suitable to signify India in the AFC continental competitiveness.
In addition to the IWL, the inaugural version of IWL-2 witnessed the participation of 15 golf equipment in the group phase, with six advancing to the remaining round slated to be held in Kolkata next thirty day period.
Complementing these league structures are the 24 energetic State Leagues for women’s football across India, serving as the third tier of the football pyramid. This grassroots strategy has substantially contributed to the sport’s widespread adoption amongst the masses.