India has bagged the right to host Women’s Football Asia Cup 2022. The Asian Football Confederation awarded the hosting rights of the tournament to India after the AFC Women’s Football Committee meeting today. In February committee had recommended India to be hosts.
This is the first time since 1979 that India will host an event, where India finished as runner-ups. AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John has written a letter to All India Football Federation, AIFF, confirming the decision. The AIFF President Praful Patel said that the government will churn out the aspiring women players and will bring the revolution around women’s football in the country.
This also has come up as the boost as India is supposed to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup next year. India had already hosted the AFC U-16 Championships in 2016 and FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017. The tournament comes on the back of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 and will help India gain and build the momentum gained.
A total of 12 teams will participate in the tournament, which is expanded over the previous 8 team slots. Being the host India will qualify directly. This tournament also will be looked upon as a final qualification tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament is likely to be scheduled in the second half of the year.
Ngangom Bala Devi, the star footballer said that India being a host would be a huge motivation for the team.