SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
ALLAN VALENTINO D'CRUZ
There was a time when players would shed tears of joy on being selected for the top teams in the State. Getting a jersey, a kit of Dempo Sports Club, Salgaocar Football Club, Churchill Brothers FC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Vasco Sports Club or Sesa FC used to be only for the privileged and the best footballers in the State. And there were many others who were rewarded for their hard work.
The best knew what it was to play for these clubs. Well, the competition wasn’t just in the I-League, but the State league was undeniably the hottest bed of talent in Indian football. Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Mahesh Gawli, Bibiano Fernandes, Felix D’Souza, etc, you can just keep naming them.
But this is a couple decades ago. Rewinding further, few had the privilege to watch many technical players such as Armando Colaco, Arnold Rodrigues, Mauricio Alfonso, Nicholas Pereira, Savio Madeira, Derek Pereira, Bruno Coutinho, Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Lawrence Gomes, Roy Barretto, Lector Mascarenhas, etc….the list is endless. Only those who have watched these players in action would agree that they were some of the finest Goa’s products.
But what’s happening now? The Goa State league has just kicked off last week and the stadiums are back open for the general public. But the level of excitement, thrill, energy is no longer the same as it used to be in the yester years. The Goa Football Association has crossed all boundaries pushing to maximum limits in promoting the league. The league is being broadcast but the fans' culture is fading away and if you ask the experts they have only the quality of football to be blamed in the State.
“The level of our top league in Goa is way below par than what it used to be in our playing days. The Pro League matches aren’t at the level that they need to be," stated India junior head coach Bibiano Fernandes, who had been fortunate to travel across India and watch league matches in various states. “Compared to others, we are far way below,” Bibiano stated.
Former International footballer Derrick Pereira, who is now the technical director of FC Goa was also of the opinion that the quality of the league isn’t the same anymore. “Those days are gone where we could find many technical players in Goa league,” said Pereira who once formed one Salgaocar FC’s best defence.
What could be the possible reason for the slump?
Putting things into perspective, Goa, now being quite developed, football isn’t an alternative to improve economic conditions any more. Ask any individual and their answer would be -- If football doesn’t work out they would opt for other means — going abroad has become the latest trend.
Speaking to Albert Colaco, the vice president of Salcete Football Club, stated, “What I have noticed is that most of the players who have actually gone on to play top level football have come from poor families. Football used to be an alternative for many players for their living earlier but it's not the same anymore.”
Salcete Football Club has a distinct record of producing some exceptional talent which have gone on to play for the national team. More than 25 players who graduated from the youth team went on to sport the National team jersey while five of their players — Mauricio Alfonso, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Savio Madeira and Robert Fernandes even captained the national side.
“When we watch today’s youth matches, we have noticed that there is a lack of skill and techniques in players. Earlier we didn’t have the facilities but the players were technical and skillful, now it’s different,” explained Albert Colaco.
When asked about the probable reason for this slump, Colaco, who served as the General Secretary of All India Football Federation in the past, stated, “I really don’t know why this is happening. I don’t know what’s wrong and the saddest part is no one is analysing it. The big clubs are happy on winning and more emphasis is given on titles and not development. At Salcete till today, our emphasis used to produce talent and at the end of the year, a majority of the players used to play for better clubs,” Colaco added.
“Some so-called football promoters who don’t want to work at grassroots level, want ready-made products. How will the game develop?” questioned Colaco.
“We need to identify and discuss what is wrong and we need to correct it in time,” concluded the former General secretary of GFA.
What made NorthEast stronger and better?
While we are facing such issues, the North-Eastern states are just doing better and better. Every club in the ISL or I-League will have at least one NorthEast player in their team. There has been a shift of talent base over the years.
Coach Bibiano, who has studied the formats in the NorthEastern region, credited the grassroots programmes and larger youth league formats in those areas. “Manipur and other Northeast States focuss more on grassroots development. They have a longer youth league wherein a boy plays minimum 20 competitive matches in a year,” stated Bibiano.
The Meghalaya State FA was the first to organise and conduct baby leagues in India.
The second major factor which has played a huge role in the development of NorthEastern players is their environment.
“These boys grow in very difficult economic conditions and football is the only way forward where they can improvise the standard of living. So by default the players train hard and they have the hunger to succeed in football,” stated Bibiano, who now intends to help his local children by starting a coaching programme called B23 Football academy along with his friend Hillary Soares.
Former India captain Savio Madeira felt that the Goan players have become complacent and distracted whereas the NorthEast players are hungry to prove and are dedicated to the sport. “These players are dedicated and grab every opportunity,” said the AIFF technical director.
“Our players are exposed to luxuries and there is no way they can compromise. You just cannot compare the dedication and commitment level of the Goan and those players. They are hard working," an I-League coach stated.
A player from the NorthEast region who earlier played in GPL stated, "For us what matters is just football. At a developing stage you cannot think about money. If we give our best to be the best, the rewards will be sweeter later and this is one thing which drives me to keep improving."
Did Goa’s decline in football coincide with the withdrawal of three I-League teams?
Jonathan De Souza, General Secretary FC Goa, stated that, “Earlier there would be a minimum of 80 Goan players playing in the I-League. That number now has come down drastically due to only one I-League and ISL team at the national stage.”
Grassroots football is the only way forward!
According to Jonathan, the FC Goa football administrator Manipur and some of the other North Eastern states have laid a huge emphasis on grassroots football. They now run very organised Baby League Programmes that have started to bear fruit.
There are also many clubs mushrooming there which are aiding player development and giving players more opportunities.
“Goa has had good grassroots programmes in the past through the GFA and GFDC, but the lack of opportunities at club level is seeing a decline in the number of Goan players migrating from youth football to the senior level,” stated Jonathan.
Derrick Pereira feels European football has now influenced the promotion of football in the State recently.
“Now we find a lot of parents motivating and registering their children for football programmes. Lot of ISL clubs have gained a lot of fan base and in Goa it’s FC Goa. So people are coming in, we need to have the right structure now. The GFA has to see that the programmes are implemented well,” expressed Derrick.
Savio Madeira also stressed on getting united and putting things on table and working unitedly to develop the sport.
A motivation for the younger gen
India recently won the SAFF cup and five of our Goan players were part of the title winning squad. Mandar Rao Dessai, Glen Martins, Brandon Fernandes, Seriton Fernandes and Liston Colaco. These players representing the country is a big motivation for the youngsters.
“We are seeing some fine quality, techniques and skills in Brandon Fernandes, which is good for all,” stated Derrick Pereira.
The rise of Glen Martins and Seriton Fernandes is a classic example that we can still make it big if one desires to give their best. The youngsters shouldn’t give up on the sport and the concerned bodies should keep putting in efforts to make the beautiful game better in the State. If we managed to get this done, the Sun will surely rise again.
