Santosh Kashyap Appointed as Head Coach of Indian Senior Women’s Football Team

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has made a significant appointment, naming Santosh Kashyap as the new head coach of the Indian senior women’s football team. This announcement was made on Monday, September 16, 2024. Kashyap, a former Indian international, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent almost a decade coaching in the I-League. He has managed several prominent clubs, including Mohun Bagan AC, Aizawl FC, Mumbai FC, Salgaocar FC, Royal Wahingdoh FC, Rangdajied United FC, ONGC, and Air India.

The 58-year-old coach also has experience in the Indian Super League, having served as the assistant coach of NorthEast United FC and, most recently, Odisha FC. In this new role, Kashyap will be assisted by Priya PV and Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar, who will serve as the goalkeeper coach.

Kashyap expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, “Coaching the National Team is always an honour. I am grateful to the AIFF President, Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the technical committee, the technical department and other senior members of the federation for providing me the opportunity to coach the Senior National Women’s Team.”

Kashyap’s coaching journey began with training the Maharashtra U19 women’s team for the National Championship in the early 2000s. He currently serves as the Head of Youth Development and Technical Director of Odisha FC. He expressed confidence in the current set of players, highlighting their potential, and emphasizing the need for technical improvement, stating, “I have full faith in the current set of players in the Senior Women’s National Team. They are all bright players. But what we require to improve is technically. I am confident that I can give the needed input to the team members during the National camp.”

Kashyap’s first challenge will be the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30, 2024. A 29-member squad will prepare for the tournament in Goa, starting their camp on September 20.

Here is the complete squad for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024:

Goalkeepers:

Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Ramesh Basude.

Defenders:

Aruna Bag, Dalima Chhibber, Jabamani Tudu, Juli Kishan, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Mousumi Murmu, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Yumlembam Pakpi Devi.

Midfielders:

Anjana Thapa, Anju Tamang, Dangmei Grace, Hemam Shilky Devi, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Karthika Angamuthu, Manisha, Naorem Priyangka Devi, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Sangita Basfore, Soumya Guguloth.

Forwards:

Jyoti, Ngangom Bala Devi, Rimpa Haldar, Sandhiya Ranganathan.

Head coach:

Santosh Kashyap