On the auspicious day of Rath Yatra, Odisha FC started a new journey. The Indian Super League (ISL) side chose the most celebrated day for the Odias to announce the launch of their senior women's team.
The club released a video to mark their entry into the women's game, while also revealing their head coach in a separate statement a little later. The Bhubaneswar-based side has roped in A-licensed coach and former player Crispin Chettri as their first head coach of the women's team. Chettri had a successful season as the head coach of Sethu FC, ending his stint at the Madurai-based club as runners-up in the recently concluded Indian Women's League (IWL).
However, Odisha is not new to the former Mohun Bagan player, who has successfully guided the state women's team in Senior Women's National Football Championship last year.
The aim to have a professional women's team from one of the hotbeds of Indian women's football was always a clear ambition for the club owners. After the delay due to the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, the club brought in experienced football administrator and former general manager of fellow ISL club NorthEast United FC, Randeep Baruah, to structure the women's football.
Randeep, currently the head of academy & women's football at Odisha FC, was working for months behind the scenes for the launch of the women's team. Now the club is ready to take the next steps in its first professional season.
Odisha FC women will participate in the next Odisha Women's League and will try to come out winners in order to qualify for IWL through the State Qualifiers. They will face stiff challenges from traditional powerhouses like Odisha Police, East Coast Railways and newcomers Sports Odisha who participated in the recently concluded IWL.
However, the club aims to be a competitive side not only in the state, famous for its women's football talent, but also in the larger Indian and Asian Women's football context.
Club owner Rohan Sharma recently shared his views on the women's team in a Twitter post saying, "I'm very excited that OFC Women is starting officially! We are building a team to go for the IWL trophy. So, we aren't just checking a box to check a box."
Club president Raj Athwal had a message for the club's supporters and well-wishers saying, "We are proud and delighted to launch the Odisha FC Women's team. The club is totally committed in providing a pathway for local girls to play the beautiful game and hope that our club can help grow the women's game in the state of Odisha."
Newly appointed coach Chettri earlier said, he was "... delighted to be part of the Odisha FC family and looking forward to work closely with the club to develop women's football in Odisha."
Taking stock of the prevalent good vibes Randeep summarized the day's announcements saying, "I'm really proud and excited to be able to launch this very important project for the club on such an auspicious day for our Odia friends. We've told everyone that we are here, and now we get down to Work."
