Bhubaneswar: On one hand while Odisha’s Chief Minister is busy strengthening the sport’s infrastructure of Odisha to make it a sports capital, here comes yet another good news for Odisha as two women football players of Odisha, Pyari Xaxa and Manisa Panna have safeguarded their berths in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
India on Tuesday announced the names of its 23-member squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Although the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not yet named the captain yet, but experienced Ashalata Devi is likely to be the torchbearer team, sources said. The squad was selected from among 27 players camping in Kochi, Kerala since last month.
India will host the continental tournament, which will be played in three venues in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune of Maharasthra from January 20 to February 6.
Notably, the AIFF had inducted Pyari and Manisa in the Senior Women’s National Football Team to participate in international friendly matches in the UAE and Bahrain from September 29 till October 14 last year in preparation for AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
