JOVITO LOPES
PANJIM: Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers FC, has made history as the first Indian woman appointed to the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee (2025–2029). The Geneva-based panel, chaired by former French international Laura Georges, focuses on promoting and advancing women’s football worldwide through participation and infrastructure development.
Valanka, who also serves on the AIFF Executive Committee and chairs its Women’s Committee, called her appointment ‘a victory for every girl involved in football in India’. She joins deputy chairperson Olive Dol-Somse of the Central African Republic and FIFA Council delegate Johanna Wood of New Zealand on the panel.
Her inclusion comes amid unprecedented growth in Indian women’s football. The Blue Tigresses recently climbed to 63rd in the FIFA world rankings, up from 69, following a flawless AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in Thailand. Under coach Crispin Chettri, India defeated Mongolia (13-0), Timor-Leste (4-0), Iraq (5-0), and higher-ranked Thailand (2-1). For their efforts, the AIFF awarded the squad USD 50,000. Valanka said, “There were no shortcuts to success—this was the outcome of long-term vision and structured preparation.”
Valanka highlighted the ASMITA women’s league and the IWL-2, which have professionalised the sport and expanded participation. Collaborative grassroots initiatives with the Sports Authority of India led to 155 leagues across the country at U-13, U-15 and U-17 levels between 2023 and 2025. Registered women footballers rose 232 per cent, from 6,305 to 8,658.
The Blue Tigresses’ preparation included a 53-day national camp with local practice matches in Bengaluru and two FIFA friendlies against Uzbekistan. Looking ahead to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia, Valanka said, “Our aim is not just to make players physically and mentally fit, but to help them compete with Asia’s best. We are committed to empowering women in all aspects of football – from players to coaches and administrators – through initiatives like Project Diamond.”
Valanka also praised India’s youth teams: the Under-20 women excelled at the AFC Championship, beating Myanmar 1-0 and Turkmenistan 7-0 while drawing with Indonesia, without conceding a goal. India’s Under-17 women, led by Goa’s Pearl Fernandes, won the SAFF Championship and will compete in the AFC U-17 qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan under Joakim Alexandersson.
Under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, led by Arsène Wenger, the AIFF continues to revamp women’s football under the Vision 2047 roadmap, aiming to build technically, mentally, and physically strong players. Valanka said, “India, one of 12 nations in the 2026 Asian Cup, has a genuine chance to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. I believe the Indian women’s team can make it to the World Cup before the men.”
With FIFA and AIFF support, plans are underway for India’s first women’s football academy in Hyderabad, marking another landmark in the country’s growing women’s football journey, concluded Valanka.
