Itanagar/IBNS: East Bengal FC, the legendary football club based in Kolkata, provided a significant boost to women's football in Arunachal Pradesh by signing two players, Giani Ramching Mara and Jumbalu Tayang, on Monday.

Both Giani Ramching Mara and Jumbalu Tayang joined the women's team of East Bengal FC for the upcoming Indian Women's League that startd on Wednesday, stated The Arunachal Times. 

Upper Subansiri district native, Giani Ramching Mara, is a midfielder, while Jumbalu Tayang, a goalkeeper, hails from Lohit district.

They have been key members of both the junior and senior women's football teams of Arunachal Pradesh for the past four years.

The duo was part of the Arunachal junior girls' football team that won a silver medal in the 2nd Northeast Olympic Games held in Shillong, Meghalaya, in November 2022, before getting recruited by the prestigious East Bengal FC.

Earlier this year, the pair was also a vital part of the team that secured the bronze medal in the 1st Khelo India Youth Games held in Madhya Pradesh.

In January of this year, Gyamar Nikum, who is only 18 years old, created history by becoming the first player from Arunachal Pradesh to join the Indian Super League.

He secured a four-year contract with the Mumbai City Football Club and has since emerged as a significant player for the team.

"This is a historic moment. Slowly but surely, our girls and boys are making the state proud by signing for the top football clubs of the country. We are very proud of Giani Ramching Mara and Jumbalu Tayang," expressed Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) secretary Kipa Ajay.

The APFA, with help from the All India Football Federation, is making efforts to raise the level of football in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Women's League, which is the top women's football league in the country, will have 16 teams participating in its sixth edition.

The teams have been split into two groups of eight, and each team will play seven group stage matches.

The top four teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage, which includes the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.