Imphal: Panthoi Chanu, the current goalkeeper for the Indian national team, is set to create history as the first Indian footballer to play professionally in Australia.
She has secured a contract with Metro United WFC in the South Australian Women’s National Premier League.
Chanu’s groundbreaking achievement comes after rigorous efforts and participation in the ‘Women in Sports Elite Football Trials, second edition,’ jointly organised by Women in Sports, the AMPL Foundation, and the Football Players’ Association of India.
She joins the ranks of Jyoti Chauhan, Kiran Pisda, and M. K. Kashmina as the fourth player to secure a contract abroad out of the 27 participants in the trials.
Having showcased her goalkeeping prowess in recent matches against Kosovo and Hong Kong, Chanu has inked a deal with Metro United WFC, a team competing in the South Australian Women’s National Premier League. She will represent the team until the conclusion of the season in September 2024.
The ascent of women’s football in Australia is remarkable. Not only did they host the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and advance to the semi-finals, but also, recent Matildas’ national team matches have seen record-breaking attendance, with every game sold out. This surge in support reflects the growing strength and appeal of women’s football in Australia, promising an exciting future for the sport at all levels.
The Indian goalie caught the attention of Adelaide United FC during a trial session attended by head coaches from renowned teams. Following their recommendation, she secured a deal with Metro United WFC, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Metro United WFC competes in the highly competitive South Australian Women’s National Premier League, offering Chanu a platform to excel and gain valuable experience in the global football arena. Her signing reflects the growing strength and appeal of women’s football in Australia, as evidenced by the success of the recent Women’s World Cup and record-breaking attendance at Matildas’ national team matches.
Expressing her delight, Chanu stated, “I am very happy to have signed for Metro United WFC and would like to thank the club management and Head Coach Paul Morris for putting their trust in me. I hope to do well and make my country proud. This has been my dream to push myself to higher levels and I hope I can do justice to this opportunity”.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Paul Morris, Head Coach of Metro United WFC, expressed “We are delighted to have signed Panthoi for the 2024 WNPL season here at Adelaide. She is a top class goalkeeper with international experience, she possesses all the qualities you look for in a goalkeeper and will be a great addition to our squad, everyone associated with Metro United is looking forward to welcoming Panthoi.
Sanaya, the Founder and Director of Women in Sports, lauded Chanu’s achievement, emphasising “We are very happy as this is yet another feather in the cap of the goals we set out as WINS to uplift Womens Sports and push towards elite performances. We are sure Panthoi will be the first but not the last girl to go to Australia and this will be a groundbreaking move”.
Also Read | Manipur: NPF candidate advocates for inclusive prosperity