14 Jul 2021  |   04:52am IST

Bend it like Sukhi: From Herald columns to a book

A book by Sukhwinder Singh consisting of articles written in a column about football in this paper has been compiled into a book. It takes a look at various issues around the game in the state

 

 

One of the more erudite

footballers who played in teams in the country as well as in Goa has now released a book on his journey in the game. He also presents his views on various aspects of the game in Goa. Sukhvinder Singh’s (fondly known as Sukhi ) book called “Goa Goals” is a collection of articles written by him which have appeared over the years in the “Herald” publication of Goa. From being the proverbial outsider in a state that has declared football as it’s State Sport, to becoming one of its own through years of developing and promoting football in the state, he has captured the various hues of the Goan and Indian landscape. Once the CEO of Indian Super League club FC Goa, the book covers his experience across various aspects of the game.

Speaking from Kolkata he said the articles were a travel van through the inherent Goan love for the sport, promising an exciting future that is taking shape as the state and other significant stakeholders pursue greater national fame in football through steady and planned development processes.

He said “Everyone is aware of the prowess of football in the maidans of Kolkata and that has been written about extensively. But how many people know about the magic that is performed on the football fields of Goa. This book is an attempt to highlight those lacunae. It needs to be done. I hope people read it extensively.”

Sukhwinder said this book was his first attempt at writing and it was possible in Goa because of the general interest shown in his articles. He said most of the articles written were part of this book and in addition to articles that were inspired by the PM program called Atmanirbhar Bharat. There were incidents happening around Covid and the program launched by the PM which inspired him to write certain articles on entrepreneurship in football and its relevance. He has also talked about finding talent, motivating it and ensuring the players continuously improve. Sukhvinder talks in detail about the status of the industry, developments around the coaches, the dynamics of grassroots football and yes also about women’s football. The book also covers the subject of selections. He expressed the hope the book would be made available to schools and colleges because while football was great fun it was also a very serious business. Football he said could provide employment in Goa and he hoped the government could help him promote this book.

He ended by saying this book is a tribute to Goa which he called home now. It was also the appreciation of the passion that the citizens of the state had for the ‘beautiful game’.

‘Goa Goals’ he said was a sincere attempt to glorify Goa in entirety and provide the readers worldwide information on its football culture at a deeper level.