Bhubaneswar, Jul 12: Sradhanjali Samantaray has created history as she became the first female footballer from Odisha to earn the prestigious AFC-A License.

The license, awarded after a rigorous 30-day course held in Kolkata, equips coaches with advanced tactical, technical, and leadership skills.

The AFC 'A' License is a coaching qualification issued by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is a higher-level coaching diploma, following the 'B' License and preceding the AFC Pro-Diploma.

Sradhanjali, who previously held an AFC B-License since 2014, now joins an elite group of Indian coaches qualified to train at the highest levels of the sport.

A former captain of the Indian women’s national football team, Sradhanjali has long been a trailblazer for women in sports. Her achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also serves as a powerful inspiration for aspiring female footballers across Odisha and India.

The Football Association of Odisha and several senior coaches have congratulated her on this landmark accomplishment, recognising her as a role model and a driving force in the development of women’s football.

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