Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus has advised football clubs to temporarily suspend housie games conducted during matches, assuring that a decision on the matter will be taken in the coming days.
This development follows a meeting held on Thursday with a delegation led by Goa Football Association (GFA) President Caitano Fernandes, along with representatives from various football clubs. The delegation highlighted that housie games have traditionally been a crucial source of revenue for organising football tournaments at the grassroots level and requested the government to consider exempting football clubs from any restrictions.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fernandes reiterated that the GFA’s only interest is to support and safeguard the functioning of football clubs across the state. “Even the Collector acknowledges that the issue requires careful consideration, especially in light of concerns about a potential nexus linked to housie operations. We have been asked to hold off for a few more days while the government works out a solution,” he stated.
Jeron Colaco, President of the Arlem Youth Association, emphasised the impact of the restrictions. “These games are the lifeline of local football tournaments. Without them, we have no means to cover expenses,” he said.
Adding to the plea, Arnaldo Costa also urged the government to intervene and grant an exemption to football clubs to continue conducting housie
games.
Several clubs expressed that the current restrictions have already disrupted their tournament schedules, making it increasingly difficult to engage youth and sustain football activities in the absence of alternative funding
mechanisms.