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The decision comes in wake of the India’s disappointing show at the recent AFC Women’s Asia Cup in Australia.
Amelia Valverde took charge in January this year. (AFP Photo)
In a significant development, the technical committee of All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reportedly decided against extending Amelia Valverde’s contract as the head coach of the Indian women’s football team. The decision comes in wake of the team’s disappointing show at the recent AFC Women’s Asia Cup where they crashed out in the group-stage itself after losing to Vietnam, Japan and Chinese Taipei.
Valverde took charge in January 2026.
On Monday, AIFF’s women’s committee chief Valanka Alemao had questioned the appointment of Valverde as the head coach.
“Who decided to appoint Amelia Valverde of Costa Rica as the head coach along with her two assistants in January 2026 by sidelining Crispin Chhetri just six weeks before the tournament? What was the procedure that was followed for her appointment? The Technical Committee cleared the appointments without calling for any list of prospective candidates to be prepared or advertised as it happened while choosing the coach for the Women’s team without any knowledge of the EC,” she wrote in a letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.
“Where was the need to bring in someone so close to the tournament and what was the cost of payments to all the three?” she added.
Alemao also alleged procedural lapses by the body’s technical committee resulted in the “series of blunders”, including ill-fitting jerseys, that marred the national team’s Asian Cup campaign in Australia. She demanded action against the officials responsible for the “huge embarrassment to the country” before the tournament when players had to make public appeals to get decently-fitted jerseys.
The team started off with a gutsy show against Vietnam, losing 1-2 after being level for a good amount of time in the match. However, their performance dipped subsequently as India were outplayed by Japan and Chinese Taipei to bow out winless from the prestigious continental showpiece.
“…questions must be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of blunders concerning the team as it has caused huge embarrassment to the country at large,” Alemao stated in her letter.
She urged Chaubey to convene an Executive Committee meeting to discuss all the issues “threadbare” besides initiating action against the guilty officials.
With PTI Inputs
March 24, 2026, 2:45 PM IST
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