New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a reward of USD 25,000 for the India U-17 women’s football team following their historic qualification for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. The Young Tigresses booked their place in the continental tournament for the first time after impressive wins over Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Bishkek last week.
India topped Group G with six points, defeating both opponents 2–1 to secure qualification for the tournament scheduled to be held in China next year. This marks a major milestone in Indian women’s football, as the U-17 team has never before qualified for the competition through the qualification process. India’s last appearance came in 2005, when no qualifiers were held.
In an official statement, the AIFF praised the team’s achievement, calling it a result of strategic planning and consistent developmental efforts. “The results come after careful planning that helped the India U-17 women deliver commanding performances. The team, playing as Indian Arrows Women Juniors last season, gained valuable experience in the IWL 2 against senior opponents,” the federation noted.
The AIFF also highlighted its long-term commitment to building a strong foundation for women’s football in India through grassroots and youth initiatives. Among these, the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues have been instrumental in nurturing young talent. Conducted between 2023 and 2025 across U-13, U-15, and U-17 categories, the leagues have seen tremendous growth from 6,305 junior participants in 2023–24 to 8,658 in 2024–25.
The 2025–26 season, which began last month, includes 50 U-13 tournaments across 26 states, featuring around 8,000 players and 400 teams. These sustained efforts have led to a remarkable rise in women’s football participation nationwide, with the number of registered players increasing from 8,683 in 2020 to 37,829 in 2025.
The federation’s latest reward not only celebrates the U-17 team’s success but also reinforces its commitment to strengthening the future of women’s football in India.
