When Valanka Alemao defeated incumbent Caitano Jose Fernandes on Tuesday by a margin of 16 votes to become president of the Goa Football Association, the result marked more than just a change in leadership. With 83 votes out of 160, Valanka became the first woman to head Goa’s premier football governing body. Following in the footsteps of her father, Churchill Alemao, her election carries new hopes and signals a breakthrough in a sporting culture long dominated by men. But while the Alemaos and their supporters celebrate, the real test begins.
Valanka’s call to “bring back the golden era of Goan football” evokes memories of clubs such as Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC, Churchill Brothers, Vasco SC, Sporting Clube de Goa and Sesa Goa, which once defined the State’s footballing identity. For many Goans, those nostalgic years remain a source of immense pride. But nostalgia, however powerful, cannot help overcome present challenges.
The football landscape has changed drastically since the days of packed stadiums, and corporates have realised that simply pouring money into clubs is no longer a sustainable way forward. The withdrawal of leading Goan clubs from the national stage in previous years, and the limited public outcry that followed, revealed a disconnect between the game and its supporters. Winning back fans will require more than political goodwill or promises of a revival. It will need a deep rethink of how football is organised, funded and promoted across the State.
The challenges facing the new GFA president begin at the grassroots. Valanka has pointed out that nearly 180 government-owned stadiums across Goa remain locked, neglected and in varying states of disrepair. Monsoon worsens the problem, leaving nearly 90% of local grounds unusable for months without artificial turf. The association will need to work closely with the government to open up public facilities to clubs, backed by a clear policy with defined timelines. At the same time, institutions such as the Goa Football Development Council need fresh momentum and competition calendars that are aligned with those of the All India Football Federation.
But can a new leadership team really turn things around? An association cannot create footballing success through administration alone, but it can put the right structures in place for talent to flourish. Valanka’s involvement with the AIFF and FIFA’s Women’s Football Development Committee gives her access to networks and opportunities that could prove valuable. The question is whether she and her team can use that influence to bring the required change to the local game, particularly for the smaller clubs struggling to survive. There is abundant talent at the local level, but there is a lack of resources and support needed to take it forward. A lasting revival will depend on professionally run youth academies, transparent administration, nurturing grassroots and smaller leagues, and a stronger, more consistent Goan presence in the country’s top competitions.
Goa can reclaim its place among Indian football’s leading states, but the answer does not lie in trying to recreate a bygone era. The game needs a modern and sustainable foundation. For Valanka, the GFA presidency may be a continuation of her family’s legacy, but a lot would be expected of her because Goan football is currently struggling. On the flip side, this could be an opportunity to reshape the future of football. Whether her tenure becomes a turning point will ultimately depend on what changes on the ground.
