Hosting AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 will inspire Indian girls, believes Maymol Rocky

Maymol Rocky, the Indian women’s football team head coach, believes hosting the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in 2022 will be a boon for the sport in the country.

The 41-year-old Maymol also thinks that watching the continental tournament organised on home soil will raise the involvement of women in Indian football.

“Hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will inspire a lot of girls to take part in this sport,” said Maymol Rocky in a video series by the AFC.

“I am confident that there will be more female staff members in women’s teams and regional football federations and their inspiring stories will definitely attract more women and girls to join this beautiful game and to consider football as their future career.” 

Maymol Rocky has contributed a lot to women’s football in the country since donning the India jersey as a player in 2001.

In 2017, the former right-back became the first female head coach of the women’s national side.

“Leading the women’s national team has always been my dream. And I believe that this is the highest position everyone desires. I was surprised to achieve this accomplishment, but I was also proud of myself,” Maymol Rocky stated.

Although India is yet to make a mark on the global stage in women’s football, there has been progress in recent years. Maymol Rocky believes that India’s large population will help in the long run.

“I am sure we will be one of the top Asian teams in the future. But everything takes time, and we will eventually achieve our goal as long as we are on the right path,” she hoped.

The Indian eves, currently placed 57th in the FIFA rankings, were last seen in action in April. They played two friendlies against Uzbekistan and Belarus.