NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday announced cash reward of nearly Rs. 22 lakh, or $25,000, for the India U17 women’s team for its qualification for the AFC U17 Asian Cup last week.
India defeated Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in its Group G games in Bishkek to top with six points and qualify for the AFC tournament in China next year, its first-ever continental qualification. India had last participated in the U17 Women’s Asian Cup in 2005, but no qualifiers were held for the tournament.“The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is pleased to announce a reward of USD 25,000 for the India U17 women’s national team after its extraordinary performance that saw it secure qualification for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time,” the country’s football governing body said in a release.The AIFF said effort was put in by the federation to ensure success of the U17 side.“The results come after careful planning from the federation that helped the India U17 women put in commanding performances in the two matches. The Young Tigresses had, last season, played as the Indian Arrows Women Juniors, gaining valuable experience in the IWL 2 playing against senior opponents,” the release stated.The statement added that the federation was trying to strengthen the sport at the grassroots level and have a more robust youth structure in women’s football.