Girijadevi Desai from Cuncolim has made history by becoming the first Indian woman coach to compete in the AFC Futsal Level 2 Course. She is a Physical Education teacher at VVM's Ramacrisna Madeva Salgaoncar Higher Secondary School in Margao, Goa, and holds an AFC B License in football coaching various women's teams, including Goa University, Cavelossim SC, Cuncolim United, Santa Cruz Angels, and Churchill Brothers' U-13 and U-17 boys. Girijadevi is the first woman in India to coach a men's professional team (Cavelossim C).
The AFC Futsal Level 2 Course is a comprehensive coaching certification program designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of futsal coaches. The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) inaugural batch was coached at the Sports Authority of Gujarat in Bhavnagar, Gujarat from September 17 to 25, 2025. With an extensive experience in futsal coaching the course was led by Ms. Shahrzad Mozafar from Iran. She has served as the head coach for her nation in the AFC Women's Futsal Championship title in 2018.
The course included 13 candidates across India where Girijadevi Desai was the only woman participant to attend the course. The course offered advanced coaching techniques and strategies for futsal rules, tactics, and player development. It provided an opportunity for Indian football coaches to inculcate professional credentials and contribute to the advancement of futsal in India.
