The Blue Tigresses had a special visitor at their camp in Bengaluru – senior men’s national team captain Sunil Chhetri.
The Blue Tigers forward had some encouraging words for the women’s team, as they prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, to be held next month. The Blue Tigresses also presented Chhetri an India kit signed by all the team members.
The senior women’s national team, coached by Crispin Chettri, are currently training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, and will also play two FIFA Women’s International Friendlies against Uzbekistan on May 29 and June 3, in the city.
While this was not the first time that Chhetri paid a visit to the women’s team, he expressed his surprised at the number of new faces he saw at the camp.
“It was an amazing experience. There aren’t too many old faces left from the last time I met this team, which just tells you how old I’ve become,” said Chhetri. “There are a lot of youngsters, and I got a very good feedback from the head coach about them.
“Everyone looked happy and chirpy. They’ve got some good friendlies coming up against Uzbekistan and then the Asian Cup Qualifiers, and I wish them the very best,” he said. “I just want them to be happy, feel comfortable together, and enjoy their training.”
The Blue Tigresses, clubbed in Group B, will begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on June 23 against Mongolia in Chiang Mai, Thailand, following which, they play Timor-Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and hosts Thailand (July 5).
(Photo Courtesy: BFC Media Team)
