Have met central govt agencies, women footballers will get jobs: Kalyan Chaubey

Panaji: The All India Football Federation’s decision to introduce a minimum wage for women footballers from next season has received mixed response.

While the players are delighted that many of them will now receive an annual contract of at least Rs 3.2 lakh, many clubs could struggle with the finances as they try to break into the Indian Women’s League (IWL). Without adequate telecast, lack of sponsorship, and poor prize money, clubs are certain to feel the pinch.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said the minimum wage could be a burden on some clubs, but was the need of the hour.

“Of course, it’s a burden for some clubs, but you cannot exploit players. They have a short career of 10-15 years to earn a living, and during that period, you have to motivate youngsters to take to the sport as a profession. Everyone has to endure a little bit of pain,” Chaubey told TOI during his visit to Goa.

The AIFF president said he has spoken with central government agencies to offer jobs for women footballers which could reduce the financial burden for the teams that will make it to the IWL.

“I am in touch with some central government agencies who recruit sportspersons. We are requesting them to recruit women footballers. That way we can achieve the target of minimum wages. Once a women footballer gets a job with central government agency, and if the average annual salary is Rs 3.2 lakh, she will be considered (as part of the 10 players). I had good meetings and am hopeful that a sizeable number of Indian women will get jobs through football merit,” said Chaubey.

According to the AIFF’s new guidelines, starting next season, it will be mandatory for the top eight participating teams in the IWL, to have minimum 10 Indian players on a fully professional annual contract worth a minimum of Rs 3.2 lakh. Until now, many women footballers were playing without much financial incentive.

AIFF said it has taken up the task of revamping the IWL “to give give women’s football a refreshed look and create improved economic opportunities.”