Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar has called for a major push in football development by adopting a model similar to Odisha’s successful rise in Indian hockey. He said Goa has the potential to become one of the country’s leading football states with proper grassroots planning, infrastructure and long term investment.
Tawadkar was speaking during the closing ceremony of the SESA GFDC Girls Under 12 League at the Atal Stadium in Cujira, St Cruz, where young footballers from across Goa participated in the competition.
The minister stressed the importance of establishing sports schools and academies while identifying and nurturing talented children from an early age. He said the Goa Football Development Council was formed with the objective of strengthening football in the state and taking grassroots development to a higher level.
Drawing comparisons with Odisha’s hockey success, Tawadkar said the eastern state had produced several top national players through focused planning and support. He added that Goa should follow a similar path for football with strong technical guidance and financial backing from the government.
The tournament concluded with GFDC Quepem Centre emerging champions after defeating GFDC Ambelim Centre 3 1 in a penalty shootout following a tightly fought final. Svea Fernandes, Leisha Fernandes and Stella Costa converted for Quepem, while Eleora Crasto scored for Ambelim.
More than 425 children from 21 GFDC centres attended the closing ceremony along with coaches and officials.
GFDC Chairman Glenn Souza Ticlo said football remains deeply connected to Goan culture but admitted that cricket has overtaken the sport in popularity. He urged authorities to strengthen grassroots football further by setting up academies in North and South Goa and appointing a technical director to guide development.
GFDC Member Secretary Fransquinha Oliveira described the league as a celebration of discipline, teamwork and the growing enthusiasm for women’s football in Goa. She said such tournaments help build confidence among young girls while creating opportunities for future football stars from the state.
