Women Rising in Football Administration: Shaping the Future of Indian Football
The growth of women’s football in India is opening doors beyond the pitch, with more women stepping into administration, officiating, match management and leadership roles. Their growing presence is reshaping the football ecosystem and creating new pathways for those looking to contribute to the sport in various capacities.
XtraTime Webdesk: The growth of women’s football in India is opening doors beyond the pitch, with more women stepping into administration, officiating, match management and leadership roles. Their growing presence is reshaping the football ecosystem and creating new pathways for those looking to contribute to the sport in various capacities.
Sudeshna Mukherjee, Match Commissioner of the All India Football Federation and Assistant Secretary of the Indian Football Association, believes her journey has been built on sincerity, learning and the willingness to improve with every experience.
Mukherjee feels that mistakes should not become barriers to progress. Instead, they can provide valuable lessons and help professionals grow. According to her, women are now making their presence felt across several areas of football, marking a significant change in the Indian sporting landscape.
The AFC Women’s Champions League in Kolkata has also provided an important platform for greater visibility. Mukherjee believes such tournaments can encourage young women to look beyond playing and consider careers as administrators, referees, match commissioners and team managers.
Drema Choiki, recently elected as the first woman Vice-President of the Tawang District Football Association, believes the next challenge is to ensure women receive meaningful opportunities across all levels of the game.
She highlighted the importance of equal access to opportunities, specialised training and certification, along with practical exposure through tournaments and matches. For Choiki, mentorship is equally important, with experienced administrators and officials playing a key role in guiding the next generation.
She also stressed the need for a professional environment where women are respected, supported and given genuine responsibilities, including roles in decision-making.
As women’s football continues to gain momentum in India, stories like those of Mukherjee and Choiki underline a wider transformation. Their journeys reflect a growing belief that women’s contribution to Indian football should extend well beyond the playing field and into the rooms where the sport is organised, managed and shaped.
