AIFF Reward India U20 Women’s Team with USD 25,000 for Historic Asian Cup Qualification

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday (August 10) announced a cash reward of USD 25,000 for the Under-20 women's team.

This incentive comes as recognition for their qualification to the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, a feat not achieved since 2006. The team topped Group D with seven points, concluding their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Myanmar in Yangon.

India's Unbeaten Streak

Pooja scored the crucial goal in the 27th minute, completing a counter-attack she initiated. India remained unbeaten throughout the qualifiers, drawing 0-0 with Indonesia and defeating Turkmenistan 7-0. Impressively, they did not concede any goals during these matches. The AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup will take place in Thailand in April 2026.

Preparation and Training

The AIFF attributes this success to consistent planning and development efforts alongside the Sports Authority of India. Since December 2024, the U-20 women have been in camp and participated in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkey, securing wins against Hong Kong and Jordan. Before the qualifiers, several players trained with the senior team.

In preparation for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, the Young Tigresses played two friendlies against Uzbekistan U-20s in Tashkent, resulting in a 1-1 draw and a 4-1 win. Overall, the team spent 135 days training together since December 2024.

Grassroots Development

Initiatives like the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues have significantly strengthened grassroots football. According to an AIFF release, there has been a remarkable 232% rise in registered women footballers over the past year. The ASMITA leagues continue into the 2025-26 season with the U13 ASMITA Football Leagues having commenced last month.

The U13 leagues will feature 50 tournaments across various venues. Approximately 8,000 players from around 400 teams will compete across 26 states. This initiative aims to nurture young talent and expand opportunities for women in football across India.

The AIFF's strategic focus on development and training has evidently paid off, as demonstrated by the U-20 women's team's recent achievements. Their qualification for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup marks a significant milestone and reflects India's growing prowess in women's football on an international stage.

With inputs from PTI