The Women’s IFA Shield is scheduled to begin, likely in the second week of February. Siliguri is anticipated to serve as the venue. This decision was discussed in a preliminary meeting of the IFA Shield Committee held on Monday at the IFA office.

The meeting also covered arrangements for the Men’s IFA Shield, which is slated to commence in the third week of March. To enhance the competition, the committee is considering inviting teams from various international locations, including the Brazilian club Botafogo FC, as well as teams from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, adding a global flair to this historic tournament.

The meeting was attended by key figures, including IFA President Ajit Bandopadhyay, Secretary Anirban Dutta, Treasurer Debashish Sarkar, Vice Presidents Saurav Pal and Swaroop Biswas, Joint Secretary Mohammad Jamal, and Executive Secretary Sufal Ranjan Giri. The officials are committed to fostering international sportsmanship and boosting football’s presence in India.

Meanwhile, probably for the first time in recent history in Bengal's football the officials of Kolkata's three big clubs, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting along with the IFA have vouched support for Sanat Dey who will contest in Naihati assembly constituency for the state's ruling party TMC for the forthcoming by-elections.