National women’s football kicks off today

NEYVELI, Feb 26 : The 17th senior National women’s football championship begins at the Bharathi Stadium here on Thursday.

As many as 22 teams, including defending champion Manipur, will be vying for honours in the tournament which is being organised by the Cuddalore District Football Association along with its women’s wing.

The teams have been divided into seven clusters.

Eight teams — winners from each cluster plus a best runner-up — will qualify for the quarterfinal league of two groups of four teams each.

The top two from each group will advance to the semifinals.

Manipur, which has won the title 14 times in 16 editions, will be hoping to continue its good show. The final is scheduled for March 15.