NEW DELHI: It’s that time of the year again! The Hero Indian Women’s League is back and the top female players of the country and from abroad are raring to go as the tournament is set to kick-off at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab on Sunday, May 5.

Defending champions Rising Student’s Club kick-start the 2018-19 Hero IWL edition as they face-off against Gokulam Kerala FC on Sunday.

As many as 12 teams, who are divided into two groups of six each, are set to participate in the tournament. Group I consists of Rising Student’s Club, Gokulam, FC Alakhpura, Hans Women Football Club, Central SSB Women Football Club and Panjim Footballers. Meanwhile, Group II consists of Manipur Police, Sethu FC Bangalore United FC, SAI-STC Cuttack, FC Kolhapur City, and Baroda Football Academy.

“Women's football in our country is going through an exciting phase. We have seen the Indian Women's Team produce some great results at the International front,” said All India Football Federation General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das.

“We are sure to see the rise of more talented players in the third season of the Hero Indian Women's League. I would like to thank the Punjab Football Association for their support in hosting the IWL, and wish the participating clubs all the best for the tournament in Ludhiana,” he further said.

HERO INDIAN WOMEN’S LEAGUE GROUPS

GROUP I

Rising Student’s Club

Gokulam Kerala FC

FC Alakhpura

Hans Women’s FC

Central SSB Women’s Football Team

Panjim Footballers

GROUP II

Manipur Police SC

Sethu FC

Bangalore United FC

SAI-STC Cuttack

FC Kolhapur City

Baroda Football Academy