PANJIM, Oct. 9 -- JOVITO LOPES

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 gro...