Khelo India ASMITA League Kicks Off to Empower Young Girls in Football

By: WE Staff | Monday, 11 August 2025

• Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse launched the Khelo India ASMITA Football League 2025–26 in Maharashtra
• The league features girls aged 13 and under, including first-time players and emerging talents from tribal and minority communities
• Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with backing from SAI, AIFF, and WIFA

The Khelo India ASMITA Football League 2025–26 was officially inaugurated at the Godavari Engineering College Ground, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, by Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. Calling the league “where passion turns into performance,” the minister underscored its role in promoting women’s participation in football and identifying hidden talent, particularly among girls from tribal and minority communities.

The league features girls aged 13 and under, including first-time players and emerging talents. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ketakitai Patil, Farukh Shaikh (Secretary, Jalgaon District Football Association), college administrators, and regional sports officials. The event marks a significant step in affirmative action to empower young female athletes and foster inclusivity in Indian sports.

The Khelo India ASMITA League, a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is driving grassroots football talent development while promoting gender equity and inclusivity. Aligned with the government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ philosophy and a key pillar of the Khelo Bharat Niti, the league aims to break stereotypes, inspire role models, and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global sporting powerhouse.

“This league isn’t just about sports; it’s about breaking barriers,” said officials at the launch, underscoring its role as a deliberate intervention to address gender and regional imbalances in sports access. Backed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and the Western India Football Association (WIFA), ASMITA marks a strong institutional commitment to women’s empowerment and nation-building through sports.