R. Nivetha wins Youth Coach of the Year at AFC Elite Youth Football Awards 2026

R. Nivetha has won the Youth Coach of the Year Award at the Asian Football Confederation’s Elite Youth Football Awards 2026 and will receive the prize at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on December 8 and 9, The Hindu reported on November 7, 2026.

The 34-year-old has been associated with the Indian u-17 women’s team since 2020-2021 and has been part of its coaching setup at several camps. In 2022, she served as the assistant coach of the Indian team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The award presentation is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on December 8 and 9 and will be held in conjunction with the AFC Women’s Football Conference and the AFC Youth Conference.

"It’s a dream come true to receive the award. It’s really a privilege. Now, I have to manage expectations and continue doing my duty with dedication. My goal is to ensure the Indian team does well in the 2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in China," the 34-year-old told The Hindu.

Nivetha is due to collect the Youth Coach of the Year trophy at the Kuala Lumpur ceremony on December 8 and 9, which will coincide with the AFC Women’s Football Conference and the AFC Youth Conference.