Media Release
Mumbai, Oct 27: A core committee delegation of the Women’s Football Federation of India (WFFI) and the Beach Games Federation of India (BGFI) met Maharashtra deputy chief minister and sports and youth welfare minister Sunetra Pawar to discuss initiatives for the development and promotion of women’s football in Maharashtra.
The delegation comprised Navin Hegde, chairman, core committee; Yatish N Bangera, chairman, coordination committee; adv Ameet Mehta, president, WFFI Maharashtra, chairman of the National WFFI Legal Committee and director of international relations; and Duke Ahluwalia, vice president, WFFI.
During the meeting, the delegation sought the support of the government of Maharashtra for the proposed Maharashtra Women’s Football Development Mission 2027–2030, an initiative aimed at strengthening the state’s women’s football ecosystem and creating greater opportunities for girls to participate in the sport.
The key proposals included establishing a dedicated state Centre of Excellence supported by regional training hubs and developing sports infrastructure in partnership with the government of Maharashtra. The delegation also proposed exploring women’s mini-football competitions to encourage wider participation and identify emerging talent.
Another major focus was the creation of a structured talent-development pathway linked to schools and colleges. The initiative aims to provide aspiring female footballers with opportunities for systematic training, skill development and progression in the sport, with particular emphasis on girls from rural, tribal and underserved communities, said Yatish N Bangera.
The proposed mission seeks to broaden access to football, strengthen grassroots participation and build a sustainable pathway for women’s football talent across Maharashtra.
Deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar expressed her support for increasing women’s participation in sports. The meeting marked a positive step towards exploring collaborative efforts between the federations and the state government to promote women’s football and expand sporting opportunities for girls across Maharashtra, said Navin Hegde.