Cuttack, June 19: The Football Association of Orissa (FAO) is contemplating to organise women’s football league to give a boost to the state’s women footballers.

Although the association is yet to complete the formalities and come up with the fixture for the football league, sources said a total of eight clubs would be participating in the tournament.

“This is for the first time that we are going to organise a football league for women footballers in the state. We are yet to decide on the dates of the league. The number of participating teams may also increase, as it will be discussed and finalised by the tournament committee,” said FAO secretary Sanjay Behera.

Addressing a news conference here today, Behera said many women footballers of international stature would be seen in action in the first edition of the FAO women’s football league.

Meanwhile, the stage is all set for the annual FAO league, starting from June 26, in which 26 first division clubs and 15 second division clubs would be taking part here. The matches for the second division clubs are scheduled to begin from July 7.

As per the performance of the individual clubs in the tournament last year, East Coast Railways, Jobra Durga Club, Rising Student, Jay Durga, Rising Star, Radharaman Club, Chand Club, Sunrise, Orissa Police, O.G.P., S.B.I., S.A.I., Bidanasi, Independent Club, Sports Hostel, Western Mahavir, Young Utkal, Morning Club, Kishore Club, Sunshine, Azad Hind, Chauliaganj, Radhagobinda, Mangala, O.F.R.C. and C.R.R.I. clubs have been placed in the first division.

Anchalika Sports Association, Uday Club, Rovers club, L.I.C. Sports club, Eleven Gun Club and others will clash to qualify for the first division next year.

Each team will be allowed to use six players from outside the state and three foreign players in squad of 22 players. However, out of the playing XI, each team would be allowed to play six players from outside, including a maximum of two foreign players, who are said to be the star attractions of the tournament.

A corporate house would sponsor the tournament, but there would not be any cash award for the champion team. However, efforts are on to give cash awards to the players and the winning team, which is likely to materialise by the next edition of the FAO league.

All the matches in the first division category would be played at Barabati Stadium here, while the second division matches would be played at Bidanasi playground. The final match would be played on August 28 at Barabati.