Historic Surge in Women’s Football Player Registration in India: AIFF Data

Indian women’s football is on the rise, with a historic 138 per cent surge in player registration over the last two years, according to data from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The number of registered female footballers in India has reached 27,936 as of March 2024, up from 11,724 in June 2022.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey credited this growth to a series of measures taken by the federation, including the introduction of the Indian Women’s League (IWL-2). “It’s a very positive trend we are witnessing in India. To have as many as 16,212 new female players in our football ecosystem is an encouraging sign that we are on the right track in our planning for women’s football in India,” Chaubey said in a press release.

The success of the IWL-2 and the availability of live broadcasts have helped raise the profile of women’s football in India. The recent season saw a format change to ‘home-and-away’ matches, which was well-received by clubs, players, and fans. Odisha FC emerged as the champions, ending Gokulam Kerala FC’s three-year dominance.

The growth of women’s football in India is further supported by the presence of 24 active State Leagues, acting as the 3rd tier of the football pyramid. This has helped the national federation expand the sport among the masses.

Chaubey emphasized that women’s football will continue to be a priority focus in the coming years, with more opportunities for players and clubs to compete at the domestic and international levels. The upcoming AFC Women’s Cup is seen as a big motivator for Indian clubs, highlighting the rapid growth and competitiveness of women’s football in India.