Rohit Bhandiye
PANAJI
Valanka Alemao, daughter of former Chief Minister of Goa, Churchill Alemao, was elected as the new President of Goa Football Association (GFA). The elections that took place at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Odxel on Tuesday, saw Valanka winning the election with 83 votes out of 160. She defeated the incumbent president Caitano Fernandes.
“I just want to bring the golden era of Goan football back, when there was Dempos, Salgaocars, Churchill Brothers, Vasco SC, Sporting Club de Goa, and Sesa Goa. We need to work hard. We need get the crowds back to the stadium, we need to breach the gap, we need to have new grassroots level program, we need to nurture talent, we need to keep going, we need to do everything to make Goa again the powerhouse of Indian football,” Valanka said after being elected as the new GFA boss.
Valanka who became the first woman President of GFA, follows the footsteps of her father, Churchill Alemao, who held the post of GFA president between 2018 and 2022. Their family which owns the club Churchill Brothers made its debut in the Indian Super League during 2026-27 season.
“I thank the faith that all clubs have imposed in me, and I am sure, because this is the first time a woman has ever contested, but my father has always taught me about gender equality, about believing in yourself, and hats off to my father and my brother, who literally slammed the patriarchy, because this is what it is, they believed, they empowered all their daughters, and there is a lot, from the ISL journey to everything, we are literally born and bred in a football family, so there is a lot of responsibility, lot to do, lot to show, people have lot of hopes on us, lot of dreams,” said Valanka.
Among her top priorities, Valanka said would be to support small clubs who are struggling for survival.
Valanka acknowledged the fact that support from the Goa government is a must if she wants to take Goan football to the next level.
“Support from Goa government is a must if we need to take Goan football forward. I think the government should understand that how the clubs work. There are close to 180 stadiums in Goa which are under lock and key, and there is no maintenance, nothing. I request to them, and I would say it again, that please make the stadiums accessible to the clubs, let them maintain it and let them use it for their community purpose,” Valanka said.
