FIFA Lifts Ban On Indian Federation, But Women Footballers' Struggles Won't End Just Yet

Finally, a piece of good news for women's footballers in India and their fans- the International Federation of Association Football has revoked the ban on All India Football Federation. Following this, the Women's U-17 World Cup will now be held in India as per the schedule. The ban indirectly posed a hurdle for young women to pursue the sport, but the challenges they face go beyond the playing field. What are we planning to do about that?

For many of us, it is hard to imagine what footballers might have endured when the ban was imposed on AIFF. The years of hard work were put at stake over governance issues. For those who do not know, FIFA banned AIFF on the grounds of violation of the association's code stating interference of a "third party". This ban prevented India from hosting the Women's U-17 World Cup.

FIFA Lifts Ban On AIFF

The suspension had an immediate impact on Indian footballers as well as on grassroots professionals. Indian clubs such as ATKMB and Gokulam Kerala FC were ineligible to partake in the continental competitions. Indian Football League winner Gokulam Kerala FC was supposed to participate in Asian Football Confederation Women's Club Championship in Uzbekistan. On its arrival at Tashkent, the club learned about the suspension and was barred from competing, as per an NDTV report. In a statement, the women's club stated that it had been stopped from playing through no fault of theirs. Despite having proved themselves to be the best in India, the club's victory suddenly made no sense. 

While FIFA has lifted the ban on AIFF, Indian women footballers' journey to gain financially viable careers, recognition and social acceptance is far from over.

Women footballers have to fight gender norms within and outside their homes, so that they can pursue a sport of their choice. In a cricket crazy nation, other sports likes badminton, football or hockey have had limited takers. While the situation seems to be changing slowly, the focus, however, remains of men's version of these sports. Few fans means fewer sponsors and as a result, women’s football in India is struggling with a lack of resources.

As if this wasn't enough, women players have to deal with harassment as well, leading to safety concerns among parents and peers. The association also has molestation allegations against its General Secretary. Earlier this year, former I- League club Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj alleged that AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das had harassed employees at workplace. Although, AIFF rejected the allegations. Such setbacks only add to the struggle of women footballers. Instead of being rock solid support for players, the association has disappointed them by failing to create a safe and protective environment for them. Also, such incidences of harassment can demotivate upcoming talent, forcing guardians to pull their female wards out of professional football due to safety concerns. 

The National team is ranked 56th in the women’s global rankings, going up from 59th position. Whereas men are on 104th. The Gokulam FC became the first Indian women’s team to qualify for an AFC club competition. The ranking can be improved if teams play constantly. Given the bans and other scandals, it seems a bit cloudy. | 

Suggested Reading: India Loses Hosting Rights To Women’s Football U-17 World Cup As FIFA Suspends AIFF

With the FIFA ban gone, women footballers can indeed breathe a sigh or relief, but we have to ask ourselves, must their journey be so tough? Why does it take international controversies for us to notice the plight of players at home, especially those at the grassroot level? Why is it still so challenging for girls in India to dare and dream about a sporting career?

Many of the challenges that our women footballers face can easily countered by changing our approach towards women and sports as a society. Let us all commit to watching women's sports. Let us be vocal in celebrating talented players on grassroot level. And above all, let us never discourage women from playing in the field, that too a sport of their choice. The minute our attitude towards women in sports changes, authorities too will sit up and take notice and provide them with better resources. So the change for their better future actually starts with us the viewers.

Views expressed are the author's own.