Following the Indian women's team's impressive performance in the recently concluded Turkish Cup, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to strengthen the intensity of the women's team's preparation. 

Looking forward to the next Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan from 19th September to 4th October 2026, the AIFF has already initiated talks with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 

The AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey when asked about the issue explained, "We have already submitted a project to the SAI top brass, detailing how the preparation of the national women's team could be more intensified with modern training and exposure. We want the national women's team to exhibit a striking performance also in the Asian Games. We are optimistic the collaboration with SAI in this mission will finally give us the result.”

In a bid to generate more potential women footballers, Chaubey revealed, “Under SAI organized Khelo India Games project we already conducted 90 girls’ football leagues in under-13, 15 and 17 age groups in 30 cities this season. We are planning to increase the number of participations next season to explore and scout more potential footballers for the future.”

Even the Federation president wants to host an international women's invitational competition if the budget, as well as the availability of the participating foreign countries, will provide. Indian women finished as the runner-up in the Turkish Cup.

Chaubey added, "We have plans to organise the international invitational competition for our women's team, inviting two or three foreign countries. But it will ultimately depend on the tournament’s budget and participating countries’ availability.”

The AIFF also plans to introduce a Fifa-elite academy for women's football exclusively as such an academy for men's football has already been introduced in Odisha which was inaugurated by Arsene Wenger. 

Incidentally, the national Under-23 boys’ team that will participate in a couple of preparatory matches in Malaysia this month is likely to be sent to Indonesia also for a similar exposure trip. 

After the Santosh Trophy was successfully organised in Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh for the first time, the Federation president has plans to expand the game to a few more states where football is yet to take off. 

"Kokrajhar staged the Santosh trophy last season. We have done it in Itanagar. We want to spread football in more places, especially where football is yet to gain the deserved popularity. We have plans to organise major competitions like the Santosh Trophy in cities like Kolhapur, Jabalpur, Chittor, and Jaipur in the future," added Chaubey. 

However, the Federation president gave hints that the AIFF's new 24-month calendar, will provide slots for the IFA Shield and the CFL Premier League, adjusting with the slot given to Durand Cup. The president divulged he would have a discussion with Durand Cup organizers soon regarding the matter.