Nivetha - The HinduUpdated - November 07, 2026 05:20 pm ISTNivetha has been associated with the Indian u-17 women’s team since 2020-2021. | Photo Credit: Special ArrangementR. Nivetha has won the Youth Coach of the Year Award at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Elite Youth Football Awards 2026.She will receive the award at a ceremony, to be held in Kuala Lumpur on December 8 and 9, 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 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 was the assistant coach of the Indian team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.Published - November 07, 2026 05:13 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }