Football Delhi to launch age-group scheme to boost women’s game

The Delhi football body, renamed Football Delhi (FD), announced on Friday that it planned to set up a centre of excellence for under-16 and under-19 girls. After trials, 25 players have been shortlisted in each group. The players will be provided exposure, FD president Shaji Prabhakaran said. “This is our first step in building a strong base,” he said.

Players will be provided coaching and equipment under the scheme and two training venues in south Delhi have been selected. “The players will assemble twice a week for collective training. Friendly matches will also be part of the development programme.”

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The initiative, says Savi Mehta, a national level player, will give a big boost to women’s football in the Capital.

“This time, Delhi reached the quarterfinals in the senior nationals. By virtue of that, we have qualified for the next National Games. With better training, we should do better in the next national meet,” she said.

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Football Delhi also plans to start six-a-side competitions for under-9 and under-11 boys and girls called the golden league. “There has been huge response to the programme. We have got over 100 entries. The event will start in June,” the DF president said.