Two Indian women footballers join Maldives club

In a development that will boost women's football in India, senior national team players Oinam Bembem Devi and Lako Phuti Bhutia today signed up with Maldives champions New Radiant SC ahead of the beginning of that country's Women's Championships.

New Radiant today announced the signings of the two players.

"We have added two foreign players to our



women's team ahead of their first game in the competition on 9th June," a release on the club's website said.

"Both defender Lako and midfielder Bembem are from India and represent India in their national women's team."

Bembem, 2013 AIFF Women's Player of the Year and the longest serving woman player, has scored 11 goals for India in 18 appearances, while Lako, has one to her name from eight caps.

New Radiant Women's team will face Maldives National Defence Force in the opening game of Women's Championship.

The Indian duo is likely to join the New Radiant squad from the third match.