AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: To mark International Women's Day on March 8, 2020, AFC Women's Football Day will be celebrated across the continent. In India, clubs and academies across the country will celebrate the occasion by organizing festivals and related activities in which over 10,000 people shall take part between March 5-11, 2020. Additionally, FIT India and the AIFF have partnered together to celebrate the occasion.

This will be the sixth year since the inauguration of the AFC Women’s Football Day in 2014. It is celebrated by all of the Member Associations to honour all the involvement and contribution of women in football.

The FIT India Movement is an initiative by the Government of India which was launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 29, 2019, to take the nation on a path of fitness and wellness. It provides a unique and exciting opportunity to work towards a healthier India. The FIT India Mission Office is celebrating 'March for Women' and has joined hands with the AIFF to promote the women's game in the country.

In his message, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC is the only Confederation which dedicates a single day to all women who have contributed their time, knowledge and expertise towards football which goes a long way in helping the AFC achieve its Vision and Mission. This is a small gesture to show our gratitude for their enormous contribution towards the success and immense growth of the sport on all levels across Asia.”

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das stated that the campaign is a "wonderful" initiative by the AFC, and partnering with the FIT India Movement will help "spread the message" across the country.

“The AFC Women’s Football Day is a wonderful campaign by the AFC. Women’s football is steadily growing every day around the globe, and we are delighted to celebrate it on International Women’s day,” he said, only to add: “Collaborating with FIT India Movement is a great step which will help spread women’s football across the nation, and further inspire youngsters to take up the sport.”

“AIFF stays committed to empowering the women’s game and look forward to a successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 in November,” the General Secretary said.

Meanwhile, AIFF Technical Director Isac Doru said that women's football in India is on the rise in a "progressive manner" and stressed on the AIFF's commitment towards continuing the progress.

"I congratulate women all over the continent on this occasion. I am pleased to see that the role of women in football in India and Asia is growing in a progressive manner. The AIFF is devoted to empowering women's footballers, coaches, referees, instructors, managers and executives," he said.

A number of activities will take place across India, such as festivals, introductory sessions for newcomers, games, tournaments, exhibition matches, fun activities, camps, workshops, respect campaigns, awareness programs/campaigns, activities for coaches, referees, parents, administrators, etc.