4 reasons for the downfall of Indian women's football

What is the reason behind the dismal performance of the Indian Women National Teams? Find out here.

ANALYST

Feature 31 Jan 2018, 16:48 IST

The Indian Women's Team have not able to garner positive results outside SAFF.

The Indian Women's Team suffered huge losses in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in North Korea. The India U-16 team also suffered a shameful loss to Bangladesh U-16 in the SAFF U-16 Girl's Championship in 2017.

We'll take a look at four reasons which have caused the downfall and deterioration of Women's Football in India over the years.

#4 Lack of funds from the federation

As per the Strategic Plan Budget of All India Football Federation in the Financial Years from 2014-17, only 16 crores have been spent by the AIFF out of a total expense of Rs.228.64 Crores, which occurs to be only a mere 6.7 Percent of revenue spent on the development on Women's Football.

AIFF Expenses 2014-17From the above spreadsheet, we can clearly infer that the apex body of football in India has not done enough to help the women footballers in the country in reaching their maximum level with a minimum allocation of funds in the recent years.

In the ongoing 2017-18 financial year, a discouraging amount of just Rs. 2.29 Crores has been spent on the women's national team which accounts for a meager 3.76 percent of the total financial expenses for the current year.

On the contrary, the most dominant force in women's football in the world, the USA, has invested a whopping $241960000 in the financial year of 2014-15 which amounts to Rs. 15443701900 (42% of the yearly budget). [US Soccer Financial Statements]

Such huge disparities in funds is a huge reason for the downfall of women's football in India.

With no basic facilities, ease of access, promotion, and marketing, football for women in India is in it's worst possible phase.