AIFF announces INR 21 lakh reward for India U17 Women after historic AFC qualification
New Delhi, Oct 21
The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a reward of USD 25,000 (INR 21.99 lakh approx) for the India U17 women's national team on Tuesday, following their extraordinary achievement of qualifying for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup for the first time in history.
The Young Tigresses completed a perfect qualification campaign in Bishkek, defeating both hosts Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan by identical 2-1 margins to finish atop Group G with six points.
This qualification marks a significant milestone for Indian women's football. India last featured in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup in 2005, but that edition did not include qualification rounds.
The 2025 qualification, therefore, represents the first-ever instance of the team earning its spot through competitive matches. Their spirited performances in Bishkek have not only brought pride to the nation but also validated the federation's strategic investment in youth development.
"The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is pleased to announce a reward of USD 25,000 for the India U17 women's national team after their extraordinary performance that saw them secure qualification for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup for the first time," AIFF said in a release.
The AIFF credited the team's success to consistent planning and the exposure provided through domestic and international opportunities. The U17 squad, which featured as the Indian Arrows Women Juniors last season, had gained invaluable experience competing in the Indian Women's League 2 against senior opponents. That experience, according to the federation, played a key role in the players' composure and tactical maturity during the qualifiers.
The AIFF, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has also introduced several initiatives to build a strong grassroots and youth ecosystem. Among the most impactful has been the ASMITA Women's Football Leagues, which successfully conducted 155 leagues across India between 2023 and 2025 at the U13, U15, and U17 levels.
The 2023-24 season saw participation from 6,305 players, a number that rose to 8,658 in 2024-25. The 2025-26 edition began last month with the U13 ASMITA Leagues, featuring around 8,000 players from 400 teams across 26 states.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see AIFF rewarding our young champions! But honestly, 21 lakh for such a historic achievement feels a bit low compared to what men's teams get. Hope this is just the beginning and they get proper support for the Asian Cup.
The ASMITA leagues are clearly making a huge difference! From 6,305 to 8,658 participants in just one year shows how much talent we have. These girls are inspiring thousands of young women across India to take up football. 💪
As someone who follows football globally, this is a massive achievement for Indian football. Qualifying through competitive matches shows real progress. The investment in youth development is paying off. Well done, girls!
Beating both Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan away from home is no small feat! These girls showed incredible spirit and determination. Hope they get proper training and exposure before the Asian Cup. The future looks bright for Indian women's football! ✨
Finally some positive news about Indian football! The strategic planning and grassroots development are showing results. Let's hope this momentum continues and we see more such achievements. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.