FIFA interactions will help perform my duties even better: Valanka Alemao

Panaji: Valanka Alemao marked a significant moment for her personal career and football governance in the country after she took part in her first FIFA Plenary Session and the first FIFA women’s development committee meeting in Doha, Qatar, recently.

Alemao is the first woman to be elected as executive committee member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). She is also CEO of Churchill Brothers FC, a first for a woman in top-tier professional football club.




“It was a unique and humbling opportunity to meet FIFA representatives who truly define their love and unwavering commitment and passion towards football,” Valanka, chairperson of the AIFF’s women’s football development committee, said in a statement on Tuesday. “It was a memorable experience for me. The interaction will surely enable me to perform my duties at home even better.”

Valanka said she briefed the committee of India’s achievements in women’s football, with three teams -- seniors, under-20 and under-17 – all making it to the final rounds of the respective AFC Women’s Championships to be held in 2026. It is for the first time that three national teams have qualified for the Asian stage in a calendar year.

“It was a moment of pride and joy to represent my country at the highest levels of football administration. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom were also present, along with our committee chairperson Laura Georges (France) and other members,” said Valanka, who was appointed to the FIFA women’s development committee in October.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, part of the Institutional Relations Committee, is the only other official from India to find a place in the standing committees for 2025-2029. FIFA, the governing body for world football, said the committees were appointed following a thorough consultation process involving FIFA’s member associations and the confederations.

“The new standing committees will lead to the greater involvement of our member associations, the confederations and other stakeholders in our decision-making processes, increased female representation and more focused technical expertise in various areas relevant to football. In other words, FIFA will be better equipped to face the future,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.