Kolkata, March 31: Ahead of the campaign of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, about a month later, the name of Goan 16-year-old Young Tigress Valaina Jada Fernandes is emerging, as after shining bright in the qualifiers campaign, she marches on to a foreign European training camp with Real Betis.

As we can see the improvement of Indian women’s football, as the clubs are taking it seriously, the Tigresses from several age groups are fighting every day to blow away the dust over the prestige of Indian football. With qualification for several international campaigns and continuous domestic improvement, the growth is evident. In the U-17 category, the women’s team has qualified for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after 21 years.

In the current situation, at the senior level, we can see many footballers like Manisha Kalyan, Avekha Singh and representing bigger clubs abroad, where they’re walking in the path of Indian women’s football legends Bala Devi, Aditi Chauhan. And In the soil of nation here showing inspiring fights in life everyday players like Soumya Guguloth, Sushmita Lepcha, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar along with the dedication to the nation with a long time shown by Ashalata Devi, Panthoi Chanu, Anju Tamang, Sweety Devi, and we have many more women’s we can name today. The young Tigresses are learning and gaining lessons day by day, and we can clearly see that the roots of women’s football are getting stronger.

Now, the name that has come forward is Valaina Fernandes, a forward who played for Indian Arrows in the IWL 2. She has now earned a chance after being scouted by watchful eyes for a training camp with the 118-year-old Spanish club Real Betis. Valaina Fernandes is one of the brightest youngstar in women’s football. Playing as a striker, she has already made an impact at the international level, scoring her first goal for India in the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship 2025 against Bhutan. She was also a key part of the Indian U-17 team that qualified for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after 21 years.

The Tigresses are ready to make the nation proud, yet they are fighting both on the pitch against opponents and off the pitch against the undeserving circumstances thrown at them. They are still miles away from perfect infrastructure, yet they continue to cope with the situation and keep running forward. Valaina Fernandes has earned this opportunity, and it will not only shape her growth and future but also add reputation and shine to Indian football, proving that talent can indeed be found here.