Oinam Bembem Devi urges ISL and I-League clubs to create women’s teams

India Super League and I-League clubs have been urged to create their own female football teams in order to aid the development of female football in India.

Oinam Bembem Devi, India’s female football legend and the first Indian woman footballer to be honoured with Padma Shri, made this request stating that this will help female football as much as men.

“Clubs play a major role in the development of football which we have seen in the European countries. Similarly, here in India, also they can play a role. The women’s team also needs the same importance. Over the years, women’s football has improved. If these clubs can come up with their women’s teams, it will be a huge boost for the game,” Bembem Devi was quoted on The Telegraph.

She disclosed that more female football teams mean that more players will get the opportunity to play and as well, more matches, which will assist female football players in developing.

However, she admitted that creating a football club may be difficult; thus, it’s easier for teams who men football teams already to establish a female team.

Indian Super League side, Pune City, and Indian Super League sides East Bengal, and Gokulam Kerala are participants in the India Women’s League, and she was appreciative of Gokulam Kerala, who have won the IWL’s fourth edition.

“This year, the way the Gokulam Kerala women players played was really fantastic. The performance level has gone up by leaps and bounds, thanks to the facilities the club has provided. Only these ISL and I-League clubs can provide these kinds of facilities and thus play a huge role in the development of women’s football,” the 40-year-old former midfielder, disclosed on The Telegraph.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu