India international Dalima Chhibber named Nova Sports Football Culture & Player Pathways Lead
India international Dalima Chhibber has joined Nova Sports as its Football Culture & Player Pathways Lead, a move reported on 17 September 2026. The appointment places the national team player in a hands-on role within the Nova Football Pathway.
In her new position, Chhibber will help develop the Nova Football Academy curriculum and operating processes, mentor athletes and act as a point of contact for players, coaches and parents. She will represent the Nova Sports brand on and off camera and will focus on supporting the broader football ecosystem through coach onboarding, training and development. A specific emphasis of her role will be identifying and developing more female coaches and building systems to support athletes at different stages of their development. The organisation expects these activities to contribute toward establishing an operating benchmark for women’s football development in India.
Commenting on the association, Chhibber said: "As players and as women footballers, we have been fighting for more structure and for people to come in and help the sport grow. To see Capri Sports come in and take that initiative is very exciting." She added: "There is so much potential in women’s football, and I am excited to be part of building that pathway. Just to see that there are people willing to come in and support the sport from grassroots and build it up to the elite level is incredible."
On the scope of her responsibilities, Chhibber said: "I’m excited to bring my experience as a player and a sports psychologist, along with my international exposure, to contribute to and help shape the Nova Sports programme and its football curriculum. Developing an athlete is not just about teaching them how to kick a ball; there is so much more that goes into developing a player holistically. Football is mental and physical, and requires the right guidance, nutrition and support." She also stated: "My role is also about developing the pathway, shaping the philosophy and creating a system that young girls can see themselves in, pursue professionally, dream bigger and eventually reach the national team."
Chhibber’s appointment follows Nova Sports’ inaugural SuperNova Football Championship (SNFC) in Bengaluru, the platform’s first major on-ground initiative. The two-day 7-a-side championship brought together schools from across Bengaluru, offering young girls competitive matches and a matchday environment. Chhibber attended the championship as a special guest and, speaking on the sidelines, said: "When I started playing, tournaments like this didn’t exist. This was one of the biggest events I have seen in women’s football at the grassroots level in India." She added: "To see so many young girls from different age groups and school teams come out, showcase their skills and play against each other has been wonderful because I didn’t get to see that growing up. There have been gaps in terms of basic structure, facilities, accessibility and the overall support needed to build an athlete."
The organisation and the article describe Chhibber’s involvement as bringing experience, credibility and perspective from an established Indian footballer into Nova Sports’ long-term plans. The report states her journey at the highest level of the sport, together with her understanding of the challenges in women’s football, will strengthen Nova Sports’ efforts to build a meaningful and credible pathway for young girls. It also notes that having a player of Dalima’s stature actively involved from the early stages provides young athletes with an experienced role model and mentor.
According to the report, Chhibber will contribute to the Nova Football Academy curriculum and operating processes, mentor athletes and work with players, coaches and parents as part of her role with Nova Sports.