Arifa Zaheer is an Indian women's professional footballer. She is among the cohort of Indian women players competing in the country's organised women's football structure, which has expanded steadily following the launch of the Indian Women's League by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 2016–17.
Key Facts
| Name | Arifa Zaheer |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Football (Association football) |
| Gender | Female |
| Status | Professional footballer |
Background
Football for women in India is administered by the All India Football Federation, with the national team known as the India women's national football team. Domestic competition takes place primarily through the Indian Women's League (IWL) at the senior club level, supplemented by state-level leagues and age-group tournaments organised by state football associations.
Career Context
Indian women footballers typically progress through state representative sides and youth national teams before entering the IWL or state-level senior competitions. Clubs participating in the IWL have historically included Gokulam Kerala FC, Sethu FC, Kickstart FC, Eastern Sporting Union, Manipur Police Sports Club, and Odisha FC, among others.
Significance
The growth of professional opportunities for women footballers in India has been linked to AIFF reforms, the hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India in 2022, and the introduction of pathways such as youth leagues and the Indian Women's League second division. Players in this cohort contribute to the expanding base of the women's game in the country.
Related Topics
- Indian Women's League
- India Women's National Football Team
- All India Football Federation
- Women's Football in India