Gokulam Kerala Enters AFC Women’s Championship

Gokulam Kerala FC, the reigning champions of India, will be participating in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2023, according to the Asian Football Confederation. The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 6th to 12th, 2023, although further details have not been announced yet.

Gokulam Kerala FC requested the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to recommend their participation in the prestigious tournament, where top women’s clubs from across Asia compete for continental glory. The AIFF forwarded their request to the AFC, who confirmed Gokulam Kerala’s inclusion.

Last year, Gokulam Kerala had missed out on the championship due to a FIFA ban on the AIFF, which prevented their participation. However, this year, they will have the opportunity to compete after exchanging letters with the AIFF and AFC.

Gokulam Kerala FC had highlighted their remarkable domestic success and the circumstances that led to their absence in the previous edition. They defended their Indian Women’s League title earlier this year with a resounding 5-0 victory in the final, scoring a remarkable 64 goals in 10 unbeaten matches. Nepali striker Sabitra Bhandari won the golden boot with 29 goals, while their Indian national playmaker Indumathi Kathiresan was awarded the MVP.

This is a significant achievement for Gokulam Kerala FC, as they now have the chance to compete at the continental level against other top women’s clubs in Asia.
Re-reported from the article originally published in ESPN