Hot on the heels of India’s third successive triumph in the just-concluded SAFF Championship in Pakistan, a first-of-its-kind FIFA Women’s Regional Development Seminar and India Development Workshop will be taking centre stage from Monday, December 15 till Wednesday, December 17 at the Radisson Blu Dwarka, in New Delhi.

Aimed at developing football for women in not only India but South Asia along with formulating a long term plan, structure and format for the first-ever women’s league in the country, the three-day seminar will see around 100 participants including 41 International delegates from mostly South Asian countries.

Among the best of international women football experts from marketing communication and management will be enlightening the participants on the best practices for the development of the game from the grassroots level.

“Along with the formulation of a league for women, and overall long term development plan the FIFA and AFC experts will also help South Asian countries have a great impact in women’s football,” Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Development Officer for South and Central Asia told AIFF Media about the event.

“South Asian teams’ performance has been on the rise and FIFA feels confident about their potential. Therefore we are committed to developing women’s football and help countries have a greater on the same. This seminar is a testimony to FIFA’s continued support,” he added.

Among the topics that will be discussed will be exchanging information between Member Associations (MA) on best practices for women’s football, chalking out a development plan from 2015 till 2018 will assistance from FIFA and AFC. Also the platform will be laid for MA’s to work together on the development of the same.

FIFA and AFC will also be presenting programmes on how MA’s can benefit from their case studies. A model for Grassroots Development will also be on the agenda.

“Grassroots development is an important aspect to develop football and all stakeholders will be encouraged to promote grassroots football in their respective states and will be shown the way to go about it,” Dr. Prabhakarn further informed.

Apart from the AIFF women’s committee which will be seen in full attendance, the host contingent will also be represented by India captain and Women’s football icon Bembem Devi, Women’s national team coach Tarun Roy, goalkeeping coach Chitra Gangadharan, India U-19 Women’s national team coach Priya PV, India U-16 Women’s national team assistant coach Sharnadhanjali Samantray, and other coaches.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)