PORVORIM: Opposition MLAs expressed their dissatisfaction with the State government’s efforts to raise the standard of football in Goa and called for increased collaboration between the Goa Football Association (GFA) and the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) to nurture football and emerging players.
During a State Legislative Assembly session, the attention motion was initiated by Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, addressing the issue of the lack of football coaching classes by GFDC. Opposition leader Yuri Alemao highlighted the prolonged suffering of the beautiful game in Goa and demanded that the government give football the respect it deserves.
Alemao pointed out that GFDC’s non-recognition prevents them from participating in any GFA programs. He suggested that GFDC should register under GFA to enable their participation in various tournaments and foster football development.
Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar stressed the crucial role played by GFDC in identifying local talent and providing essential grassroots training. He called on the government to increase funding for the sports body.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai expressed concern over GFDC coaches’ long-overdue salary increments and unpaid salaries during the pandemic. He held the government accountable for the declining football standards in Goa.
Altone D’Costa highlighted GFDC's inception as a brainchild of former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, intended to promote football. However, he expressed dismay over its current trajectory, citing delayed salaries for coaches and corruption reports in the media.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Govind Gaude, informed the MLAs that GFDC operates 35 active football coaching centres across Goa, managed by 83 coaches, serving 2,774 trainees between the ages of 6 to 14 years. Gaude revealed that GFDC has requested affiliation with GFA, but the government is still considering the matter. He emphasized the government’s commitment to football by allocating substantial funds,
with plans to enhance GFDC's grants to Rs seven crore from the existing Rs six crore.