Indian Football’s Twitter handle just tweeted about the new salary cap for Women footballers and tons of new decisions made by AIFF. A minimum salary of INR 3.2 lakh, per annum will be the income from now on. Surely, it will be a huge boost for the players as there were huge disparities between the Men & Women footballers in terms of salaries. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey promised that earlier in September 2022, and it looks like he has been successful to keep his promise.
Image – Twitter
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Kalyan Chaubey was appointed as the new President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in September 2022. His first aim was to reduce the differences in the salaries between men & women footballers.
“We want to have a minimum salary cap for women footballers so that there’s not much (salary) disparity with their male counterparts and it’s at a respectable level. We also want to make IWL better than before,” Chaubey said at a press conference in September 2022.
The financial side of the women players was highlighted by Bembem Devi when she termed the amount as “peanuts”.
“Women players do not get good money while playing for a club in the IWL. The club will always tell the players to take less amount of money, say Rs 50,000 or Rs 60,000. This amount is peanuts actually,” She said.
The IWL (Indian Women’s League) winners get Rs 10 lakh rupees, which is even less than what the fourth-placed I-League side gets – Rs 25 lakh. In comparison, the I-League winners get Rs 1 crore, while the I-League division 2 champions are awarded Rs 50 lakh.
Clearly, there were huge differences. So, it is a massive step for Indian Women’s Football and credit to the President. They also took some major decisions to expand the roots.
Major Decisions taken by AIFF:
- Women footballers in India will now get a minimum salary of INR 3.2 lakh, per annum.
- The 2024-25 edition will see Hero IWL a 10-teams affair in the top division & introduction of 2 subdivisions. In yr 2025-26, Women’s football will feature a 4-tier league including the introduction of State Leagues.
- AIFF will launch ‘Project Diamond’ for elite players’ development with participation from Hero ISL clubs, Hero I League clubs & elite academies. FIFA Talent Development Scheme led by Arsene Wenger Fifa chief of global football development will play an active role in Project Diamond.
- AIFF has planned an elaborate grassroots restructuring with the launch of ‘Blue Cubs’. that would help in developing a foundation for the future. Blue Cubs program will feature an elite grassroots program along with the involvement of Govt NGOs, Clubs, Schools, etc. This is in line with Vision 2046 aiming to engage 25 million children in football by 2026 and reach 100 million by 2047.
- AIFF has decided to bring back the legacy of institutional clubs in Indian football. The year 2023-24 will see a 10-team Institutional League played on a home & away basis. Institutional League will encourage job opportunities in the public sector.
