Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said that all stakeholders along with the state government should work together to bring back the glorious days of Goan football.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the GFDC Football Summit held at Margao on Thursday.
Dr. Geeta S. Nagvenkar, Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa and Member Secretary of GDFC, GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes, Derick Pereira, President, AWES, Padmashri and Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, club members and stakeholders were present.
Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) in association with Goa Football Association (GFA) organised the Football Summit that concluded on Thursday.
Dr Nagvenkar said that the issues discussed during the summit and the draft recommendations would help Goan football in the long run.
“Topics covered during the summit like football coaching, amateur clubs, player perspectives, inter-village football, grassroots, youth football and academic, infrastructure, marketing sponsorship and fan engagement will certainly ensure a bright future for Goan football,” she said.
Kamat, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Football Summit, stressed the importance of quality infrastructure and adequate remuneration to get good coaches.
“Threadbare discussions held during the summit resulted in very good recommendations, but these have to be implemented by the government that will benefit football. GFDC, GFA and the state government must work together. Infrastructure is the major issue. Grounds owned by the government should be made available to village clubs on a no-profit, no-loss basis. We must aim to get back the glorious days of Goan football,” he said.
Fernandes said that the event was highly successful in identifying the problems faced by Goan football.
“I hope that this event marks the beginning of a new era in Goan football, where the football ecosystem thrives with the support of the clubs, government and fans,” he said.
