Panaji: The Indian women’s football team in Australia for the all-important AFC Asian Cup, was forced to hurriedly source playing kits locally after the set of jerseys sent by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was manufactured for age-group teams, and “did not fit at least 80% of the 26-member squad.”The Indian women will face Vietnam in Perth on Wednesday.According to sources, the consignment from Delhi was initially delayed due to permissions, prompting the team to buy time from the organisers for the official equipment check and photoshoot. Two days before the crucial opener however, when the cargo finally landed at the team hotel, players found that the jerseys were of small sizes and did not fit a majority of the players.The alarmed players like seniors Sweety Devi, Manisha Kalyan, Grace Dangmei, Sangita Basfore, Pathoi Chanu, Sanju, Pyari Xaxa and Shreya Hooda wrote an official letter to the AIFF, seeking immediate intervention.“Over the past days, players and staff have already faced challenges due to the lack of appropriate clothing during preparation,” the players said in a signed letter to the AIFF, “The arrival of incorrect match kits at this crucial stage has further affected morale and disrupted our focus in the final days leading up to the match. Representing India on the international stage requires professional standards, including properly fitted and appropriate match and training apparel.”The AIFF said it has now sourced the kits locally with 55 jerseys, or two different sets – light blue and red — being procured from an Italian company that had stock in Perth.“We were told there is a problem with the jerseys since they were not fitting properly and we addressed the issue,” said a senior AIFF official, adding that the national team does not have a kit partner. “The kit will be available a day before the game (with names and numbers). We have made immediate provision of correct-sized match and training kits for all players and coaching staff.”Despite the disappointment, players said they “remain fully committed to representing our country with pride and giving our best performance.”India have made it to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on sporting merit for the first time since 2003 and have a shot at qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Eight of the 12 participating teams could possibly qualify for the World Cup.The tournament kicked off on Sunday where a staggering 44,379-strong crowd, the highest ever attendance in the competition’s history, gathered to witness the start of the continent’s premier women’s national team competition at the Perth Stadium.
