In a landmark moment for Indian football governance, Valanka Alemao recently participated in her inaugural FIFA Plenary Session and the first meeting of the FIFA women's development committee in Doha, Qatar. This event marks a significant personal milestone for Alemao and represents a progressive step for the country's representation in global football administration.
A Trailblazer in Indian Football Administration
Valanka Alemao holds the distinction of being the first woman ever elected to the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). She also breaks ground as the Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Brothers FC, making her the first woman to hold such a top-tier position in a professional Indian football club. Her recent involvement in FIFA's highest forums underscores her pioneering role.
Reflecting on the experience, Alemao, who also chairs the AIFF's women's football development committee, expressed profound gratitude. She described it as a unique and humbling opportunity to engage with FIFA representatives whose dedication to the sport is unwavering. "It was a memorable experience for me," she stated. "The interaction will surely enable me to perform my duties at home even better."
Showcasing India's Achievements on a Global Stage
During the committee meetings, Alemao presented a compelling overview of India's recent successes in women's football. She highlighted a historic achievement: for the first time in a calendar year, three Indian national women's teams—the senior side, the under-20, and the under-17 squads—have all qualified for the final rounds of their respective AFC Women's Championships, scheduled for 2026.
"It was a moment of pride and joy to represent my country at the highest levels of football administration," she said. The meetings were attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, and the committee chairperson Laura Georges of France, among other global dignitaries. Alemao was appointed to the prestigious FIFA women's development committee in October.
Broader Indian Representation and FIFA's Forward Vision
Valanka Alemao is not the only Indian voice in FIFA's global structure. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, who is part of the Institutional Relations Committee, is the other Indian official appointed to the standing committees for the 2025-2029 term.
FIFA emphasized that these committee appointments followed an extensive consultation process with its member associations and confederations. President Gianni Infantino outlined the strategic intent behind the new committees, stating they are designed to foster greater involvement from member associations and stakeholders, increase female representation, and sharpen technical expertise across football's various domains. This restructuring, he noted, will better equip FIFA to navigate the future of the sport.
Alemao's active participation in these global forums signals a new era of inclusive and influential representation for India in world football, coinciding with the tangible on-field progress of the country's women's teams.
