Young Indian women footballers were reportedly forced to endure harsh travel conditions after being paid just Rs 125 each for a two-day train journey without any club official accompanying them and some players allegedly traveling without confirmed tickets.
The allegations were leveled by players from the Kolkata-based Suruchi Sangha, who recently competed in the Indian Women’s League 2 (IWL 2), the second tier of women’s club football in India.
In a video shared on X, the players described what they called a harrowing journey home, claiming they were left without adequate food, water or support during the journey.
“Until now we have not received anything to eat and now the manager called us and said we have to survive for two days with Rs 125. How are we going to survive? We can’t get food or basic things with that. Even a packet of biscuits costs around Rs 20 and we don’t even have water,” said one player in the video.
The players claimed that the amount was told to them by the team manager as the total amount approved for the trip. However, they said they were unsure if the decision came directly from the club’s ownership.
Players are alerted to safety
In addition to the financial issues, the players also claimed that no club official accompanied them during the trip, raising questions about safety and welfare.
“No one is with us, only the players who have been sent here. Not even a single official is with us. If only Rs 125 was to be given, then someone should travel with us because then they would know what we are getting and what we are not getting,” the player said.
The players also claimed that four members of the group traveled without confirmed train tickets and had to accommodate other passengers during the journey.
“Today, if this video goes viral, people will see what’s going on. We boarded last night and even between us, the tickets for four people are still not confirmed. Also, such a small amount was given for food. How are so many of us supposed to manage this?” another player said.
The video appears to have been made in hopes of drawing attention to the situation and prompting action regarding the team’s travel arrangements.
WATCH THE VIDEO
The state of Suruchi Sangha in IWL 2 is deeply disappointing. The players were reportedly left without proper management support as they were given just 125 to survive for two days, while even travel tickets for all remain unconfirmed. #IWL2 #indianwomensfootball pic.twitter.com/y9g6Sh5slX— Sourav Paul (@Doppelg40906183) May 12, 2026
Suruchi Sangha IWL 2 Campaign
Suruchi Sangha qualified for the final round of Indian Women’s League 2 after finishing second in Group C with two wins and one loss.
The Alipore, Kolkata-based club was unable to carry that momentum into the closing stages and finished at the bottom of the table without registering a single win. HOPS Football Club and Juba Sangha FC have secured promotion to the Indian Women’s League, the top tier of women’s club football in India.
Striker Roshni Tigga finished as Suruchi Sangha’s top scorer in the competition with seven goals.
The accusations from the players have cast an uncomfortable light on the conditions faced by female footballers competing in India’s domestic structure.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
13 May 2026 12:44 IST
