CM Mohan Yadav Congratulates India on SAFF Women's Title
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated the Indian women's football team on winning the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, calling the triumph a symbol of courage, talent, and team spirit of India's daughters and a new chapter of inspiration in Indian sport.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr.
Mohan Yadav publicly congratulated the Indian women's football team on June 7, 2026 .
India won the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 , extending its record of regional dominance in South Asian women's football.
India has previously won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2019 and 2022 , among other editions.
The Khelo India programme, launched in 2016 , has been a key policy driver for grassroots women's football infrastructure.
The team's next major challenge is expected to be the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers .
Yadav described the victory as a symbol of 'the courage, talent, and team spirit of India's daughters.'
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Sunday, June 7, 2026, congratulated the Indian women's football team for winning the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, saying the victory has made the entire nation proud.
Posting on X, Dr. Yadav wrote: 'SAFF Women's Championship 2026 jeetkar Bhartiya Mahila Football Team ne poore desh ko gauravit kiya hai' — 'By winning the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, the Indian women's football team has made the entire country proud.' He extended heartfelt congratulations to the full squad and wished them a bright future.
The Chief Minister described the triumph as a symbol of 'the courage, talent, and team spirit of India's daughters,' adding that their success 'will write a new chapter of inspiration in the world of sports.'
Context
The SAFF Women's Championship is a biennial football tournament for South Asian women's national teams, organised by the South Asian Football Federation since 2010. India has historically dominated the competition, having won multiple editions including 2019 and 2022.
The 2026 edition adds to that legacy of regional dominance. The Indian women's national football team is governed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which has overseen steady growth in the women's game over the past decade.
Policy Backdrop
The victory comes against a backdrop of sustained government investment in women's sports. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the Khelo India programme in 2016 to expand grassroots infrastructure and create pathways for women's football talent across the country.
Successive central and state governments have also increased budgetary allocations for professional platforms such as the Indian Women's League, improving competitive exposure for domestic players. These investments are widely credited with raising the overall standard of the national side.
Stakeholders and Impact
The win directly benefits the hundreds of women footballers competing at the national and state levels, providing a boost to recruitment and grassroots participation. State sports bodies across India, including in Madhya Pradesh, are expected to draw on the team's success to promote women's football at the district level.
Senior political figures congratulating the team — as Dr. Yadav has done — signals continued institutional support for women's sports and may translate into enhanced funding and recognition for athletes at the state level.
What's Next
India's attention in women's football will now turn to the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, where a strong SAFF showing traditionally strengthens the team's confidence and FIFA ranking position. Continued investment and political visibility for women's football could further accelerate India's rise in continental competition.
For the players, this regional title reinforces their standing as South Asia's leading side — and raises expectations ahead of future international campaigns.
Point of View
Particularly in women's sport — a politically resonant space. The framing of the win as a triumph of 'India's daughters' echoes the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' narrative that has defined much of the ruling party's communication on gender. For Madhya Pradesh, a state with growing investment in sports infrastructure under the Khelo India umbrella, such gestures reinforce the government's positioning as a champion of women's empowerment. The post also keeps the spotlight on India's regional football dominance at a time when the national side is eyeing stronger performances at the continental level.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win the SAFF Women's Championship 2026?
Yes, the Indian women's football team won the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, prompting congratulations from leaders including Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav.
What is the SAFF Women's Championship?
The SAFF Women's Championship is a biennial football tournament for South Asian women's national teams, organised by the South Asian Football Federation since 2010. India has won multiple editions of the tournament.
What did CM Mohan Yadav say about the Indian women's football team?
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav said the team has made the entire country proud and described the victory as a symbol of the courage, talent, and team spirit of India's daughters.
How many times has India won the SAFF Women's Championship?
India has won the SAFF Women's Championship multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022, and has now added the 2026 title to its record.
What is the Khelo India programme and how does it help women's football?
Khelo India is a programme launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2016 to expand grassroots sports infrastructure across India, including support for women's football development and talent identification.
