The results are here for everyone to see. Odisha FC, one of the latest additions to the Indian women’s football circuit, have outshined their competitors to clinch the Indian Women’s League (IWL) title in the 2023–24 season.

In the concluding match of the league on March 24, 2024, Odisha FC clinched the title in style with an impressive 6-0 win over Kickstart FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. With this victory, they dethroned defending champions Gokulam FC, who were known as the undisputed leaders of Indian women’s football.

Odisha FC Women, formed in 2022, earned the top spot with 31 points from 12 matches, which put them two points ahead of their closest competitors, Gokulam Kerala FC. This title holds immense significance for Odisha FC as it earns them the opportunity to represent India at the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League.

Throughout the season, Odisha displayed remarkable consistency in both attack and defence. They scored 31 goals in 12 matches and conceded only four. India International Pyari Xaxa emerged as the top scorer for the team, and joint second in the league, netting eight goals, while Win Theingi Tun from Myanmar contributed seven goals. Their biggest support in the midfield came from India International and captain Indumathi Kathiresan, who played a pivotal role in the team’s success.

Shreya Hooda, another member of the National Team, and a top contender for the Golden Glove award this season, showcasing her exceptional talent as the number one goalkeeper for Odisha FC. She conceded only four goals throughout the season, securing an impressive nine clean sheets in 12 matches.

“I am so happy to come up with a good performance this season. I want to thank my coaches, support staff, teammates and especially Odisha FC for believing in me. I am grateful to all for this opportunity this season and it all happened because of my team. I want to dedicate this award to my defenders,” Shreya said.

“The numbers (about conceding fewer goals) do matter to me because when I consistently perform well for my club, it gradually impacts my performance in the National Team. Then, handling situations becomes less difficult.” Shreya told the-aiff.com.

While players rightly steal the limelight when the team win matches or bag a title, it is important not to overlook the contribution of the coach. In Odisha FC’s case, it is Crispin Chettri, the head coach, who remained the backbone of the team throughout the season and planned his strategies meticulously.

“Well, it’s a massive achievement for both the club and me. I have been after this trophy for three years,” Chettri said. “I told my players to have self-belief and behave like champions. I had this written in the dressing room permanently,” he added.

We were brilliant throughout the season. Yes, we suffered early in the season because of injuries to Sweety (Devi) and Jasoda (Munda). But the players who replaced them showed desire, character and hunger to excel, and now here we are. The state of Odisha had an overall good year. We won the gold medal in the National Games and now we have won the IWL. I think we have created a path for all players,” Chhetri added.

The Bhubaneswar-based team appointed Crispin Chettri, an A-licenced coach and former India U19 and Mohun Bagan player, as their first head coach for the women’s team. Chettri was the coach of SETHU FC, who finished runners-up in the previous edition of the IWL.

“I think guiding Sethu FC was more challenging than this year because I had young, promising players and I was new to women’s football. So SETHU was a great learning platform. In Odisha FC, I knew about the vision of the owners and we had a project. Though last year we didn’t achieve much, but as a new club, we grew with the passing year. So this year, we had more character in the dressing room.

“I think to be the champions, you need character more than quality, especially in women’s football. We need to create a team bond, having the same objective for all players and staff and making players learn rather than just coaching,” he said.

This year, the Indian Women’s League adopted a new format, the home-and-away structure, spanning over three months. Coach Crispin regards this format as the most beneficial change and said, “I think this is the best way to move forward in women’s football. It gives time for coaches to plan accordingly for each match and also gives players proper recovery time. Most importantly, in this system, players pick up the ability to adapt to different playing conditions quickly. It helps to shape the mentality of players when they go on National team duty.”

Courtesy :- AIFF Media Team.

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Only a few get to live their dreams and only they know what it is during the times failing and rising up. 19-year-old footballer-cum-coach, Nadiya Nighat. Living her dream in Kashmir.

She breaks the stereotype that people have in mind about not just Kashmiri girls but in any state in the nation. She is a passionate footballer and started playing football when she was ten years old.

To reach her dreams, Her mentor and coach, Mohammad Abdullah plays a vital role. She said in a recent interview that he has taught her everything about football and it was his coaching she has started playing football.

The feisty girl competed at the national level through the Youth service and sports, 2010, against the Chandigarh team. In 2015, once again she got the chance to play at the national level through Jammu Kashmir Football Association.

Not only Nadiya but it is the situation of many other girls who step in the so-called men-centric world one being football and facing opposition from friends, family and relatives. She faced opposition from her mother and relatives but it was her father who convinced her family and gradually she had the support of her mother and family.

She is very thankful to Jammu Kashmir Football Association as they got her back at difficult times and she would not have made it at this level without them.

Coaching at Clubs
Nadiya along with football player is also a qualified coach. She holds the D-license for coaching which is recognised by FIFA.

Nadiya coaches under-19 players at two clubs. One is exclusively for boys and other for girls. With 30 boys in JJ7 club and 18 girls in Rambagh FC.

The name of the boys Club JJ7 is the initials of her nickname “Jiya Jan” and seven being the jersey number, Boys named her club JJ7.

This vibrant footballer is very enthusiastic about coaching. “My aim is to excel at football, in addition to giving excellent coaching support to young, upcoming footballers,” she says.

Nadiya being passionate about the sport does not charge a fee from her students stating passion and money don’t go hand in hand.

Owais Manzoor, one of her student has been part of her coaching class for three months. He says that he has learnt good football tricks from Nadiya. “When I saw her for the first time, I was shocked that a girl would coach me. But slowly, I saw how skilful she is at the game, and I realised that I can learn much from her. It is because of her that I have been selected for Panthchowk Panthers Club,” said Owais.

Lack of Infrastructure
As any player, Nadiya too despite the poor infrastructure in football stadiums and feels the lack of proper infrastructure is one of the reason parents feel hesitant to send their girls for practice.

She says Bakshi Stadium has better infrastructure occupied by the Indian Armed Forces. She hopes that one day, J&K has its own girls football team.

About her heroes
Nadiya is no different from us when it comes to having favourite heroes. She is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude, his passes and free kicks. Also, wear Number 7 jersey because Ronaldo does so.Loving Lionel Messi’s running and skills.
Nadiya’s message to young footballers is to seek excellence in the sport and keep playing.

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