YWC-Th unveil jersey ahead of IWL-2; president demands funding parity and YAS support
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17 2026: Ahead of their highly anticipated campaign in the upcoming Indian Women's League 2 (IWL-2), the Youth Welfare Club, Thambalkhong (YWC-Th) hosted a jersey launch and player felicitation ceremony.

The event was graced by an esteemed panel of dignitaries, including Sarangthem Johnson, President of YWC-Th; Keisham Inaobi, Chief Engineer, Engineering Cell, Health and Family Welfare Department; Subinson Sapam, SDO/BDO Sahamphung Block, Kamjong district; Nahakpam Momon, ex-president; and club advisors Sarangthem Ranjit and Lukram Irabanta.

YWC-Th unveil jersey ahead of IWL-2

The primary highlight of the programme was the official unveiling of the club's new playing kit, symbolizing the team's readiness for the Nation's second tier inter club competition.

Alongside the jersey launch, the club organized a special felicitation ceremony to honour five exceptional local players who recently represented India at the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers, celebrating their contribution to both the Nation and the club.

Delivering the presidential address, Sarangthem Johnson expressed immense pride in YWC-Th for qualifying for the second-tier national inter-club tournament but sharply highlighted the severe financial hurdles ahead.

He warned that local clubs run the risk of disappearing without dedicated attention from the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department.

He pointed out that most grassroots football clubs are sustained purely by sports enthusiasts running on minimal budgets, making it nearly impossible to sustain top-tier national competitions without structural institutional backup.

Johnson made a strong appeal to the Government for proper financial assistance, pointing out a stark funding disparity within the current sports framework.

He noted with concern that while financial provisions exist in the State budget to assist men's teams competing in major national tiers like the Indian Football League (formerly I-League) and I-League 2, no such budgetary provision is carved out for women's teams heading to the similar tournaments.

He also urged the YAS Department to reconsider its policies and offer equal financial support and encouragement to both men's and women's teams alike.

The upcoming IWL-2 tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 24, featuring 18 clubs divided into four competitive groups.

YWC-Th has been drawn into Group B alongside four other contenders, with all group stage matches set to take place at the Capital Football Arena, Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

The four group winners alongside the two best second-placed teams will progress to the final round, which will be contested in a round-robin league format where the top two teams will ultimately earn promotion to the apex Indian Women's League.