Herald: What made you decide to get into GFA?
Avertano: I have been playing football for past many years. In football I have learnt a lot of things and whatever I have learnt, I want to give it back to the young footballers and that motivated me a lot. Most of the former players and the youth and also the clubs approached me to contest the elections.
Herald: What is your agenda and plan if you win the battle on Sunday? What’s in your priority list?
Avertano: I want to develop the grounds. Most of the grounds which are managed and under SAG aren’t given to villages and that’s my priority to make them available to the youth which will help us in better functioning of the league games. My next thing is to improve the league system and to get some incentives to the clubs in the lower divisions and for this particular aspect, I’m trying to get some sponsors for them and help them.
Herald: Your rivalry with Churchill isn’t new… would there be another upset?
Avertano: Churchill Alemao and me are good friends and there is no enmity between us. This situation is just because of the GFA elections. If he says that he lost last time due to EVM than I can only say that he doesn’t call me a magician to change the ballot papers. I have the support of the clubs and I’m very confident of winning the elections.
Herald: Your family member had been in GFA earlier… what positives you take from this situation…
Avertano: My brother (Schubert Furtado) had been part of GFA for the past two decades and he has contributed a lot for football, which the most of the clubs will agree. He has vast knowledge in the State football functioning which has helped me a lot and he is still guiding me.
Herald: Do you believe in Panel elections? If yes, why? Don’t you think it divides the football fraternity.
Avertano: My main aim is to have like-minded people working towards the betterment and development of football in Goa. If I win, I will never discriminate anyone and will consider everyone in my team of ‘like-minded people’ and work for the development of football in Goa. I would also have a technical committee wherein all the senior players like —Brahamanand, Bruno, Derrick and take their help as they understand football and would consider their opinion as they have an edge over us all in the technical matters. I would also consider them in the selection committee which will help us have a good set of coaches. I would also like to have an organising committee to look after organisation of the leagues, this will help to lessen the pressure of the executives.
Herald: GFA has been the first body to implement the Sports Code in Goa. Do you think it is the right move for the development of the administrations?
Avertano: GFA has done a great job by implementing the Sports Code and it is the right thing they have done. I have learnt that if Churchill wins and takes on the chair, he wouldn’t resign after crossing 70 years, which I feel is wrong. He has to give it up and should set a good example to others. I don’t understand why is he contesting.
Herald: There have been allegations from section about bribery from either side…how far is this true…?
Avertano: From my side there is nothing. I had heard that envelopes and balls were being distributed to the clubs by Churchill. Surprisingly, throughout the past four years he didn’t give a single ball to them. I don’t know why he is doing this. May be this is his strategy to attract the clubs and to get their votes. But they all know what’s best for football.
Herald: Both were Ministers in the government. What did you’ll ensure during the time for the development of Goan football?
Avertano: I contributed towards the sport. In my constituency I developed a lot including the five grounds. I had also acquired 50,000 sqmts of land behind the Rosary Church, wherein the Nat games will be held. There will be volleyball, basketball, futsal courts etc.
Herald: What made you decide to get into GFA?
Churchill: GFA had become mess. Nothing was in order and I’m here to put that in order, I want to bring better changes in the Football Association.
Herald: What is your agenda and plan if you win the battle on Sunday? What’s in your priority list?
Churchill: I’m confident that I will win the elections. All the clubs know me and my capabilities and they have forced me to contest. My priority is to waive off the club fee of Rs 5,000 that would lower the burden from the clubs. The next issue is to solve the problem of availability of the grounds. There are many grounds in Goa and they should be used for the betterment of the sports. Thirdly, I will increase the prize money for the Goa Professional League. I have lot more in my mind which I shall do in time to come.
Herald: Your rivalry with Avertano isn’t new… would there be another upset?
Churchill: He (Avertano) didn’t defeat me. I lost due to EVM machines. There the situation was different. The EVM made me lose the Goa Assembly elections against him in 2012. But here there are ballot papers and I’m sure to win.
Herald: Your family member had been in GFA earlier… what positives you take from this situation…
Churchill: That’s a different story altogether. Here, many people and lot of clubs wanted me to lead the Football Association. I want to bring in a lot of changes. GFA has a bitter relationship with AIFF which needs to be resolved. Another aspect which has to be addressed is fining players and clubs. These issues are my priority.
Herald: Do you believe in Panel elections? If yes, why? Don’t you think it divides the football fraternity.
Churchill: I don’t want somebody should take advantage of GFA’s positions and money. I want some known people. I have kept Valente as the candidate for the vice president in South as he is known by people for his contribution in football. In north I have Lavino Rebello, who is also very popular and is sure to win in North Goa.
Herald: GFA has been the first body to implement the Sports Code in Goa. Do you think it is the right move for the development of the administrations?
Churchill: That is wrong what they did. The amendment was sent to ask the view. It’s not passed by the parliament. Not a single State has implemented the sports code. We all know the fact that, not even the Goa Olympics Association’s (GOA) had amended the same for their elections. GFA tried to keep me out but that didn’t happen. One cannot challenge the constitution. Once I win, I will complete my tenure of four years.
Herald: There have been allegations from section about bribery from either side…how far is this true…?
Churchill: I didn’t get passes for myself. I don’t have to give anything to get votes. The clubs came to me and asked me to contest. I would have contested long back but I’m coming now to clear all the mess which is there at GFA. The whole country knows that I’m a man of a word. I was CM for 19 days and I resigned as promised.
Herald: Both were Ministers in the government. What did you’ll ensure during the time for the development of Goan football?
Churchill: I contributed a lot towards football. I brought Santosh Trophy to Goa when I was the Sports Minister, which Goa won ultimately. I remember the tournament as Peter Vales was the coach and Armando Colaco was the manger. For four decades I ran football and whole Parliament knows me as football and always said ‘Football is Come’ when they met me.
