By Chris McAsey
An AFL Asia Development Grant is helping to unify India’s booming footy states with outstanding results both at home and on the international stage.
After several years in a Covid-impacted slump, the grant has supported national body ARFAI’s efforts to roll out training programs and re-vitalise state-based and national competitions.
ARFAI Founder and former Team India Captain, Sudip Chakraborty said the last year has seen ‘very clear and visible enthusiasm and energy across participants, volunteer state leaders and supporter communities.’
‘Seven states in India were able to organise state level championships or trials in the lead up to the ARFAI National Championship in January 2025.
‘This was a significant boost to motivation for both players and volunteer leaders in the return to competitive footy post Covid.’
Footy is booming again in India after disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic.
The resurgence of footy across India comes off the back of ARFAI’s work behind the scenes to re-motivate participants across the country to return to the sport. India led the Asian region for growth in 2024, with a 96% rise in participation.
‘ARFAI was able to facilitate multiple camps and leadership meetings for all participating states in India,’ Sudip said.
‘In particular the camps organised in the lead-up to Asia Cup were essential for a unified approach among the state leaders, who travelled from states thousands of kilometres apart across India.’
Team India’s return to international competition at the inaugural AFL Asia Cup in Vietnam came with a fitting reward for that approach, with India making the semi-final round for the first time.
India’s success at the inaugural AFL Asia Cup in Vietnam has provided momentum for the sport’s growth.
Sudip said that Team’s India’s success at the AFL Asia Cup was the perfect scene setter for the milestone 10th National Championships in Odisha state in January 2025.
‘Success at the Asia Cup has already provided momentum for the sport’s growth in India and that was highlighted by a magnificent 10th National Championship,’ he said.
Ten Indian states were represented at the Championships – from Kerala in the south to Uttar Pradesh in the north, Rajasthan in the west, and West Bengal in the east.
Ten Indian states competed at the 2025 National Championships in Odisha.
A record number of matches were played on an immaculate surface at Centurion University Oval in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Visibility of footy in India was enhanced by live streaming of the Championships for the first time, and social media posts by the Hon. Sports Minister of Odisha after inaugurating the tournament.
Another significant development at the tournament was the first ever inter-state women’s footy competition, with three states from eastern India competing – Odisha Swans, West Bengal Tigers and the Jharkhand Crows.
Jharkand Crows won the first women’s zonal competition in India, held alongside the National Champioships.
ARFAI Officials’ Masterclass
In October 2025 ARFAI will hold its first Officials’ Masterclass in coaching, umpiring and administration for volunteer state leaders across India.
ARFAI has hosted volunteers from Australia almost every year to help out as Umpires / Officials and to identify talented players and prize winners.
ARFAI is calling for Expressions of Interest from volunteers to support the ARFAI leadership group in delivering these programs in October 2025 and January 2026 (see flyers below for more details).
