Ludhiana, May 3 (PTI) Defending champions Rising Student's Club will take on Gokulam Kerala FC in the opening match of the Indian Women's League football here on Sunday.

As many as 12 teams, divided into two groups of six each, are participating 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.

Group II has 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 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 added. PTI PDS

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)