Sethu FC returns to Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for IWL 2024-25

CHENNAI: Sethu Football Club, based in Madurai, has announced its return to Chennai’s iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the upcoming 2024-25 season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) conducted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). 

As the sole representative of Tamil Nadu in the IWL, Sethu FC eagerly anticipates the opportunity to once again play in front of its loyal home supporters after a season spent in Goa due to unforeseen circumstances, a media release said.

The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has granted the club permission to use the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, providing a significant boost to the team as it prepares for the upcoming season. Playing in Tamil Nadu not only benefits the players but also helps reconnect with the club’s passionate local fan base, which has been a constant source of support since the team’s inception, the release said.

Club Chairman and owner, Seeni Mohaideen, said: “We express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Tamil Nadu for its pivotal role in the holistic development of sports across various disciplines in the state. Our special thanks go to the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, for granting permission to utilize Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the home ground for Sethu FC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2024-2025 season. His continued support for women’s football is
deeply valued.

“We are also immensely grateful to the SDAT officials, particularly Thiru Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, the Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). Despite his busy schedule, he was instrumental in approving our request to play at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Providing this facility to Sethu FC, the only women’s football club from Tamil Nadu in the IWL, will help elevate the quality of the league, distinguish Tamil Nadu as a leader in promoting women’s football, and foster the growth of the sport in the region. After a challenging season in Goa, we are relieved and excited to be back in Chennai.”

With its return to Chennai, Sethu FC is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting IWL season. Having previously won the league and consistently performed at the highest level since the IWL’s inception in 2016, the team is poised to make a strong impact in the 2024-25 edition, the release added.