Sethu FC unveiled their squad and jersey for the upcoming Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2025 season at a grand press meet at GRT Grand Hotels, Chennai. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mr. Owen Coyle, Head Coach of Chennaiyin FC, and was attended by football enthusiasts and media representatives. The dignitaries who attended the gathering include Mr. Seeni Mohaideen, President of Sethu FC; Mr. Seeni Mohamed Aliar, Vice President of Sethu FC; Mr. Suresh J Manoharan, Deputy Secretary DMK Sports Wing, Treasurer of Sethu FC; Ms. Kalyananthy, Managing Director, Project Future India Trust; Dr. CK Ashok Kumar, Director, First World Community; Mr. S. Selvaraj, Commissioner Tamil Nadu State Information; and Mr. Bose Venkat, Actor, and Director.
Sethu FC has a rich legacy in Indian women’s football, having won the prestigious Indian Women’s League trophy in the 2018-19 season. Many players from that championship-winning squad went on to represent the Indian National Women’s Team, showcasing the club’s role in developing national-level talent. The club further cemented its dominance by winning the Tamil Nadu Women’s League in 2021, reinforcing its position as a leader in the sport.
Highlighting the club’s contribution to women’s football, it is noteworthy that 26 of the 88 athletes appointed under the 3% sports quota in government jobs in Tamil Nadu were women footballers who were once part of Sethu FC. This achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of Sethu FC’s President, Mr. Seeni Mohaideen, who has worked tirelessly as the Women’s Football Committee Chairman of TFA over the years. The club also applauded the Deputy Chief Minister’s proactive recognition of these sportswomen.
Seeni Mohaideen, President of Sethu FC, shared his thoughts on this monumental event: “Having the Indian Women’s League hosted in Tamil Nadu for the first time is a moment of immense pride for us. It not only gives us a chance to play on home soil but also allows our players to feel the energy and support of local fans. This is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of women’s football in our state. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for making this dream a reality and for standing by us in this historic journey.”
Suresh J. Manoharan, Deputy Secretary of the DMK Sports Wing and Treasurer of Sethu FC, added: “On behalf of Sethu FC, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Tamil Nadu Government, SDAT, and the management of Chennaiyin FC for their unwavering support in making it possible for the Indian Women’s League to be hosted in our state. Their collaborative effort has been instrumental in bringing this exciting opportunity to life. We look forward to nurturing the growth of football in Tamil Nadu and beyond.”
Sethu FC also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the directors and members of Sethu Institute of Technology, the principal investors of the club, for their unwavering support and steadfast commitment to empowering women in sports and fostering a culture of excellence on and off the field.
The team for this season reflects a fresh approach, with Sethu FC scouting and signing some of the best talents from across the country to compete for the league. Leading the charge are Shareef Khan, a dynamic young coach from Kerala, and Nongmeikapam Itocha Singh, a seasoned coach and former player from Manipur, who brings a mix of energy and experience to the team.
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The squad includes 7 players from Tamil Nadu, among them 2 SDAT players, who are part of the team for the season, along with top players from other states. The squad also boasts of two foreigners: Moussa Zouwairatou from Cameroon who is a striker and Amnah Nababi from Uganda who plays as a midfielder.
Sethu FC will kick off their IWL campaign with their opening match against Sreebhumi FC from West Bengal on January 11, 2025, at 3:30 PM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.
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Squad List:
Goal Keepers: Gyurme Dolmo Tamang (Sikkim), Nisari K (Kerala), Sarangthem Khambi Chanu (Manipur), Sharmila P (Tamil Nadu)
Defenders: Vinothini R (Tamil Nadu), Hoshika T (Tamil Nadu), Gladys Zonunsangi (Mizoram), Mansi Anant Samre (Maharashtra), Purnima Kumari (Jharkhand), Ashwathi P (Kerala), Ngopawdi K (Mizoram), Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi (Manipur), Anu T Sabu (Kerala), Priya Chettri (Sikkim), Santhiya P (Tamil Nadu SDAT)
Midfielders: Lisham Babina Devi (Manipur), Monisha Mannan (Tamil Nadu SDAT), Kai Rumi
(Arunachal Pradesh), Giani Ramching Mara (Arunachal Pradesh), Ruchi (Delhi), Kayenpaibam Anju Chanu (Manipur), Rivka Ramji (Karnataka), Sivisha C (Kerala), Laxmi Tamang (Sikkim), Amnah Nababi (Uganda)
Forwards: Kaviya Pakkirisamy (Tamil Nadu), Shanmugapriya (Tamil Nadu), Malavika (Kerala), Amisha Baxla (Jharkhand), Laishram Rejiya Devi (Manipur), Moussa Zouwairatou (Cameroon), Prameshwori Devi (Manipur), Yumlam Lali (Arunachal Pradesh)
