Valanka Alemao, daughter of the former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao, has become the first Indian woman to become a member of the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee. She is also the CEO
of the Churchill Brothers FC, two-time I-League champions.
Valanka made history as the first woman elected to the All India Football Federation’s executive committee three years ago. She became the first female CEO of a top-tier Indian club when she took charge of Churchill Brothers FC in 2007 and serves as the chairperson of the AIFF Women’s Committee.
The FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee for the 2025-29 cycle comprises 25 members from around the world and is chaired by former France defender and current French FA general secretary Laura Georges.
“This honour represents a significant milestone. This appointment is not just a personal achievement; it is a historic moment for India. By accepting this role, I become the first woman from our nation to be appointed to a committee by the world’s most prestigious and largest sporting organisation,” Valanka was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“My professional life has been dedicated to the promotion and growth of football, both women’s and men’s, across India. I have always strived to put forth sincere and determined effort in this mission,” Valanka added.
She expressed gratitude to her family, especially her father, Churchill Alemao, owner of Churchill Brothers FC, saying, “He taught me to fight against all odds and believe in myself, no matter what. Hard work always pays off.”
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who serves on the Institutional Relations Committee, is the only other Indian official to bag a place in FIFA’s standing committees for the 2025–29 term.
FIFA stated that the newly formed committees were appointed after a comprehensive consultation process with its member associations and 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,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
