John Kenneth Raj: “The time is ripe for women’s football”

John Kenneth Raj, FC Bengaluru United Technical Director said “This time is ripe for women’s football in India”

John Kenneth Raj shared his thoughts. Reigning BDFA Super Division League champions FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) recently took an important step towards the growth and development of women’s football in the state with the launch of their Women’s KSFA B Division Team. The announcement, which was made on 8^th March to mark International Women’s Day, was welcomed by the sporting fraternity across the state. FCBU Technical Director, John Kenneth Raj, who played a key role in conceptualising the idea, spoke about the rising profile of the women’s game in India.

“The time is ripe for women’s football in India,” said Kenneth Raj, who has been associated with FC Bengaluru United for more than a year now. “The Indian Women’s National Team’s FIFA ranking is 57 as compared to our men’s team which is around 106. So the women have a much better chance to qualify for the World Cup. If all clubs across India and even the local communities and academic institutions start building up their women’s teams and work on improving things from the grassroots, it will play an integral role and add impetus to our goal to qualify,” he said

Speaking about the grassroots initiatives for women’s football that FCBU are proactively implementing, Kenneth Raj said, “At the FCBU Academy, we have a girls’ football development program whose structure, philosophy and vision are on par with the men’s program. Currently, the program is open to girls between 12 and 18 years. Next season, we will look at splitting this into two groups – one for girls 18 and above, and the other for 18 and below. We also welcome those who are looking to restart their footballing career after taking a short break.”

The growth of women’s football, as Kenneth Raj says, has the potential to open several avenues. “Over the last decade, there has been a lot of scope with women foraying into football coaching as well. If we have good coaches, we can develop good players. So it is indeed encouraging to see women coming forward and looking to make a career in football coaching.”.  

The “steady development in the women’s game in Bangalore” has been heartening to note as well, said Kenneth Raj. “Until three years ago, only four teams in the city used to participate in women’s leagues. Now, we have 11 teams in the Super Division, 8 teams in the ‘A’ Division, and 5 teams in the ‘B’ Division – of which FCBU is one. We are making progress by adding teams year on year,” he concluded.