Indian women's footballers to earn Rs 3.2 lakhs annually, announces AIFF Exco

The governing body also announced revamps in the structure of women's football.

In what has been described as a ‘Landmark Day’ in the history of Indian Football, the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) has come up with some remarkable reforms. Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF President and Shaji Prabhakaran, Secretary General AIFF addressed the media earlier today and gave an update on how to plan to go about things for the betterment of the beautiful game in the country.

In this article, we bring to you the top three highlights for Women’s Football in India announced earlier today.

1. Increase in Salary

First up, the AIFF has decided to increase the annual salary of women footballers from next season onwards. The Federation has made it compulsory for the top eight participating teams in the IWL, to have a minimum of 10 Indian players on a fully professional annual contract worth a minimum of Rs 3.2 lakhs. 

This will act as one of the major reforms in the system and will also motivate young girls to take up the beautiful game as a professional career. An increase in the pay structure will give women’s football in India a new and fresh outlook.

2. Restructuring of Indian Women’s League

Another major reform will be the restructuring of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) starting from the 2024-25 season. Starting in 2024, the league will have 10 teams competing for the highest accolade of Women’s Football in the country.

Moreover, they have planned to add two more subdivisions in the same season before adding the four tiers in the 2025-26 season including the state leagues. This reform will ensure regular matches and more game time for women footballers which will eventually help the national team big time.

3. Project Diamond and Blue Cubs

The AIFF has also launched Project Diamond and Blue Clubs wherein they’ll help women footballers grow more. Project Diamond will be launched for the development of elite players who can play in the elite league and display their skills on the big stage. It will be headed by former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger in coordination with the clubs.

Project Blue Cubs on the other hand will be launched in 2026 and will ensure more efficient grassroots development. It will provide the kids with more opportunities to play the game which will eventually become a feeder to the junior national teams and then the senior national team. It will create the future stars of the game in the country.