Football
Santosh Kashyap appointed head coach of Indian women's football team
Kashyap, who has replaced Chaoba Devi, will take over the charge of the Indian women's team during the national camp for the SAFF Women's Championship.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed Santosh Kashyap as the new head coach of the Indian senior women's team on Monday.
Kashyap, who has replaced former international player Chaoba Devi, will take over the charge during the national camp for the SAFF Women's Championship, which will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30.
A 29-member Indian women's team will camp in Goa from September 20 to prepare for the regional Championship.
A former India international, Kashyap has almost a decade of coaching experience in the I-League, managing clubs like Mohun Bagan AC, Aizawl FC, Mumbai FC, Salgaocar FC, Royal Wahingdoh FC, Rangdajied United FC, ONGC and Air India.
The 58-year-old also served as an assistant coach with NorthEast United FC and is currently the Head of Youth and Technical Director of Odisha FC.
The AIFF, meanwhile, appointed Priya PV as his assistant coach, while Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar will be the goalkeeper coach of the women's team.
'We can regain the title'
Reflecting on his new assignment, Kashyap said, "Currently, I am working as the Head of Youth Development and Technical Director of Odisha FC. I have full faith in the current set of players of the Indian women's team. They are all bright players. But what we require to improve is tactically. I am confident that I can give the needed input to the team members during the National camp."
"I am aware that our result in the previous SAFF Championship didn’t meet the expectations. But this time, with the right tactics, approach and decision-making ability, we can regain the title," said the head coach.
"Football has become an extremely competitive sport, especially at the international level. So, we shouldn’t take any team lightly. SAFF is only the first step. Thereafter, I have a bigger plan in mind. I am sure, this team is capable of delivering the goods,” he added.
A reputed footballer of the 1980s, and then a top club coach, Kashyap said he began his coaching journey by training the Maharashtra U19 women’s team for the National Championship in the early years of this century.
Indian women's squad for the national camp:
Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Ramesh Basude.
Defenders: Aruna Bag, Dalima Chhibber, Jabamani Tudu, Juli Kishan, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, 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, Mousumi Murmu, Ngangom Bala Devi, Rimpa Haldar, Sandhiya Ranganathan.
Head coach: Santosh Kashyap