AIFF nominates Gokulam Kerala for AFC Women’s Club Championship

The Malabarians were the winners of Indian Women's League 2019-20.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has nominated Gokulam Kerala to represent India at the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2020-21.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, in a letter to AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John wrote, "We would like to inform you that after having a discussion with the local organising committee (Odisha Sports), AIFF has decided to postpone the upcoming edition of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) for a few months. This is keeping in mind the monsoon and an expected third wave of COVID-19 infections."

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The upcoming 5th edition of IWL was originally supposed to be held in Bhubaneswar by Odisha Sports in close coordination with the AIFF. However, the governing body decided to postpone it, owing to the second wave of the pandemic which hit hard. The League Committee had also taken a decision to conduct it later in a new window, subject to health parameters.

Gokulam Kerala were the winners of the IWL, when it last took place in the 2019-20 season.

About AFC Women’s Club Championship

In May, the AIFF had confirmed that an Indian team will take part in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2020-21. The tournament was the first of its kind, planned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament will feature eight teams from eight different nations and will take place between October 30 and November 14, 2021. Group A (East) will consist of representative clubs from Chinese Taipei, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, while Group B (West) will feature a club each from India, IR Iran, Jordan and Uzbekistan. The reigning Indian Women’s League champions will represent the country.

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However, in light of recent developments, it has become difficult for the AIFF to organize the IWL. This, in turn made it possible for Gokulam Kerala to get the nod to take part in the Asian Championship.

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