The idea to start a women's league prior to the Rovers Cup (commencing on Nov 28) has been approved by WIFA, according to reliable sources. The women's football league will be the third of its kind in country, after Calcutta and Manipur, which have 12 and six teams respectively.

WIFA is confident of roping in a minimum six teams from all over the city -- mainly from the suburbs of Bandra, Andheri, Malad, Borivli and Vashi where women play football.

Also on the cards is the formation of a WIFA sub-committee to develop women's football in the western region. The sub-committee will not be a rival body to the Nagpur-based Maharshtra Women's Football Association.

The league organising committee will have 12 members and it is learnt that either Olympian SS Naryanan or former international referee MG Suvarna will preside over the committee.Rashid Khan, the former Tatas and Salgaocar player, has also been included in the committee and is tipped to take over as the secretary.

Khan has been associated with Indian women's football for the last two decades. He was the brain behind Maharshtra women's team's success in the last five years.

Former Central Bank player Dilip Bangera will also obtain a position in the committee along with Charlie Padwal, Francis Fernandes (former junior international and Central Railway player), Johnny Barretto (former Customs player), Renvik D'Souza, Surendra Kerkera (Bipin Memorial), Mrs Pratima Das (President, Bombay District Women's Football Association) and Hardeep Singh (Khalsa College).

The idea of starting a league for women was encouraged by Wali Mohammad (assistant secretary, WIFA). "If women play at Cooperage, they will get publicity and the necessary security which is not possible at others grounds," he opined.

Krishna Singh, secretary All-India Football Federation Women's Wing (AIFFWW) said: "It's anencouraging step for the promotion of game and I will give my full support from our side."

The organisers have also assured that proposals from leading football-playing schools be entertained. Such schools will be be registered with WIFA.

Wali Mohammed told Express Newsline that a woman representative from each team will also be welcomed to join the league committee.

The Maharashtra state women's team has been performing well and has made a mark at the national level. In the last five years, the state teams have entered the semi-finals of the Federation Cup, besides the Senior and Junior National.

Maharashtra player Gazala Khan expressed happiness over the formation of the league: "It's a very positive step taken by WIFA. A platform has been provided for the women to parade their talents."

The physical director at Raheja College, Gazala added, "The league will produce more women players from the city."