The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shrugged off criticism over the kit fiasco that overshadowed the Indian women’s team’s preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, insisting that replacement kits were sourced and delivered within seven hours of the problem being reported.
AIFF Deputy General Secretary M. Satyanarayan addressed the controversy directly in an interview with Revsportz on Saturday, claiming that the federation’s swift response has gone largely unnoticed. “Copped flak AIFF had problems with the kit originally sent to the women’s team for the AFC Asian Cup in Australia. We replaced it with top quality kit within seven hours but this was not highlighted in the media,” he said.
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The row erupted just 48 hours before the start of the Indian tournament when it emerged that the jerseys sent by the federation were made for age-group teams and did not suit at least 80 per cent of the 26-man senior squad.. Senior players have reportedly written to the federation asking for the correct kit sizesand the team was forced to source replacements locally. The AIFF eventually procured 55 jerseys in two sets from an Italian company that had stock in Perth.
An investigation into the fiasco has been ordered
Satyanarayan confirmed that the AIFF has launched a formal investigation into how the kit swap happened in the first place. “The moment the matter was brought to my attention, we acted immediately. Within six hours, we arranged new kits that met the best global standards to ensure the players have what they need,” he said in an earlier statement to PTI.
He added that the integrity officer of the federation, a former CBI officer, has been asked to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a detailed report. “Once we receive the report, we will review the findings and communicate further if necessary,” Satyanarayan said. The AIFF’s handling of the episode drew sharp criticism at the time, with the incident casting a shadow over the team’s preparations for the major continental tournament.
A tough tournament to remember
In the end, the drama off the field could not be separated from the results on the field. India crashed out of the tournament after losing all three Group C matches, ending their campaign with a 3:1 defeat to Chinese Taipei in Sydney. For the federation, which is keen to progress the project, the episode served as an unpleasant reminder of the administrative loopholes that still need to be addressed.
Satyanarayan acknowledged that wider structural reforms in Indian football will take time. “Once the National Sports Governance Act is implemented, we will not have these court cases,” he said. “Sports administrators will have time to govern rather than run to court.” Whether that vision materializes quickly enough to restore confidence remains to be seen.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
March 15, 2026 12:57 PM IST
