New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has defended its response to a kit controversy that disrupted the preparation of the India women’s national football team ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
AIFF officials said replacement jerseys were arranged and delivered within hours after the issue was brought to their notice, rejecting criticism that the federation had mishandled the situation.
The controversy had emerged shortly before India’s opening match in the tournament when players reportedly discovered that the jerseys supplied to them did not fit properly.
Federation says response was swift
Speaking to Revsportz, AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said the federation acted quickly once the problem was reported.
He said the initial kits supplied to the squad had issues, prompting immediate action from the federation.
“The AIFF faced criticism after the kit that was initially sent to the women’s team for the AFC Asian Cup in Australia had problems. We replaced it with a top-quality kit within seven hours, but that wasn’t highlighted in the media,” Satyanarayan said.
According to him, the rapid replacement ensured that players received appropriate gear before their match preparations intensified.
Jerseys reportedly meant for age-group teams
The issue surfaced just 48 hours before India’s opening match in the tournament.
Reports indicated that the jerseys sent to the squad were originally manufactured for age-group teams and did not match the sizes required for senior players.
It was reported that nearly 80 per cent of the 26-member squad could not wear the supplied kits due to incorrect sizing.
Senior members of the team reportedly wrote to the federation requesting properly fitted jerseys after discovering the problem.
As the issue gained attention, the players were forced to look for alternatives locally to ensure they had suitable playing kits in time for the competition.
Replacement kits sourced in Australia
The federation eventually arranged replacement kits through an Italian company that had stock available in Perth.
A total of 55 jerseys in two sets were reportedly procured and delivered to the team.
Officials said the replacement kits met international standards and were quickly provided so that the players could focus on their preparations.
Satyanarayan earlier told PTI that the federation had managed to arrange the new kits within six hours of the issue being reported.
Enquiry ordered into kit mix-up
While defending the quick response, the AIFF has also ordered a formal enquiry to determine how the mix-up occurred in the first place.
Satyanarayan confirmed that the federation’s integrity officer, a retired Central Bureau of Investigation officer, had been tasked with conducting a detailed investigation.
The enquiry will examine the procurement process and the circumstances that led to the wrong kits being supplied to the senior team.
Once the investigation report is submitted, the federation will review the findings and decide whether further action is necessary.
Controversy overshadowed tournament preparation
The incident attracted criticism from fans and observers who said such logistical issues should not occur during preparations for a major international tournament.
The controversy also cast a shadow over the team’s campaign in the continental competition.
India struggled in the tournament and was eventually eliminated after losing all three matches in Group C.
The campaign ended with a 3–1 defeat to Chinese Taipei women’s national football team in Sydney.
Administrative challenges remain
The episode has renewed discussions about administrative challenges in Indian football and the need for stronger organisational systems.
Satyanarayan acknowledged that structural reforms in the governance of sports bodies may help improve administrative efficiency in the future.
He said the implementation of the proposed National Sports Governance Act could streamline operations and reduce legal complications that often occupy sports administrators.
According to him, better governance structures would allow officials to focus more on development and management of the sport rather than dealing with court cases.
Looking ahead
Despite the criticism, the federation maintains that its quick response ensured the team received proper kits before the tournament began.
However, the controversy has highlighted the importance of stronger planning and coordination, especially when preparing national teams for major international competitions.
Observers say the findings of the internal investigation could determine whether procedural changes are required to prevent similar incidents in the future.