Football at the South Asian Games 2016 will be a key attraction with the India Women's Team as well as the India U-23 Men's Team performing in the 11-day long event that will see a total of 11 sports being competed over two cities, Guwahati and Shillong.
Sandesh Jhingan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Aibor Khongjee as well as a host of other Indian Super League stars will be seen in action. Also, Lallianzuala Chhangte, the wonder-boy from Mizoram who bagged a goal on his debut at the SAFF Cup 2015, will be seen in action.
The India U-23 Men's Team are grouped alongside Sri Lanka and Maldives in Pool A, while the Pool B consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The action gets under way on 6 February and culminates on 15 February.
For the India Women's Team, the action gets under way from 5 February, with the final taking place on 15 February. India stars like Aditi Chauhan, Bembem Devi, and Bala Devi will be part of the action. It will also be the veteran midfielder Bembem's last tournament in the national jersey, and the Indian eves are geared up to win the tournament for her.
"Bembem's presence is immense in the dressing room as she helps to unify the team by leading from the front," Sajid Dar, the head coach of the Women's National Football team, was quoted by the AIFF. "Apart from being a sound player, her ability has always been a driving force for us."
A total of five teams -- India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh -- will participate in the Women's Football event, with the top two teams following the group matches to go on to meet in the final.
South Asian Games 2016: Indian football schedule
Women's Football
| Date | Team A | Team B | Time | Venue | |
| 5 Feb | India | v | Maldives | 1:30 pm | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
| 7 Feb | India | v | Bangladesh | 7 pm | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
| 9 Feb | India | v | Sri Lanka | 7 pm | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
| 13 Feb | India | v | Nepal | 7 pm | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
| 15 Feb (Third Place playoff) | Third placed team | v | Fourth placed team | TBD | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
| 15 Feb (Final) | First placed team | v | Second placed team | TBD | JLN Stadium, Shillong |
Men's Football
| Date | Team A | Team B | Time | Venue | |
| 6 Feb | India | v | Sri Lanka | 5 pm | Nehru Stadium, Guwahati |
| 10 Feb | India | v | Maldives | 5 pm | Nehru Stadium, Guwahati |
| 13 Feb (Semi Final 1) | Group A winner | v | Group B runner-up | 2 pm | Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai |
| 13 Feb (Semi Final 2) | Group B winner | v | Group A runner-up | 7 pm | Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai |
| 15 Feb (Third Place playoff) | SF 1 loser | v | SF 2 loser | 2 pm | Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai |
| 15 Feb (Final) | SF 1 winner | v | SF 2 winner | 7 pm | Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai |
