“Women footballers in our state are working hard, yet how many know there are players here that like to be professional someday,” said Priya.

Bala was also the top scorer of IWL 2019 with an astounding tally of 26 goals from just seven games.

Bala Devi showed excellent form when she emerged top player at the Indian Women’s League (IWL) this year with 26 goals for Manipur Police SC.

The year 2019 remained faithful to Ashalata Devi as the Captain played an instrument role in helping team India win the 2019 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title earlier this year.

Cheers to Matildas’ famous stars like Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter who will be paid equally as Socceroos like Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan.

The first initiative by the Khelo India Girls League is the ‘Khelo India Girls Football League.’ The league will hopefully generate buzz and interest around the U-17 Women’s Football World Cup.

Women had long been prohibited from watching men’s sporting events since a de facto ban was imposed following 1979’s Islamic revolution. It’s been 40 years since women have been banned from watching men’s sporting events in Iran.

Whether league football or national, we have seen only inconsistent patronage of the sport in India.

It is not the first time a woman has refereed a men’s UEFA competition match. Switzerland’s Nicole Petignat officiated three UEFA Cup matches between 2004 and 2009.

The 17-year-old B Mariammal earned praise in junior national level matches at Telangana, Manipur, Odisha, Maharashtra and Goa. She scored 12 goals to catch the attention of the selectors in Goa, who immediately sent her to Patiala in Punjab and Cuttack in Odisha for training.