Herald: GFDC is roping in youngsters for grassroots programme, but if you look at the present scenario of football in State, it appears that we are not moving ahead. Why do you feel Goa is not making progress?
Rufino Monteiro: GFDC has not yet completed five years. As our programme is for the age between 6 and 12, it will take us another 5 to 7 years to get good results.
We had a good team earlier where the State was really at the top. The last good player we saw was Bruno Coutinho. We never had a grassroots level to complement all these. The State doesn’t have the backing from the football association or the clubs from which good players can be produced.
H: What does Goa need to do to uplift football at the State and National level?
RM: The State needs to have a strong grassroots. Take the example of Spain, Germany or Belgium, all these countries have a strong grassroots level programmes. Belgium, which is smaller than Goa, has a strong grassroots. Today, they have around 50,000 players at grassroots level. Make the grassroots strong and we will see the result.
H: What according to you is a strong grassroots?
RM: If you want to become a player of repute you need at least 10,000 hours of practice which is a ‘golden rule’. Unless you practice every day you will not get these many hours. Besides, we also need some good dedicated coaches. GFDC has been trying its best to produce such coaches. Today, we have around 108 coaches to assist and mould these kids to become footballers of their yearning. Unless the coaches are trained how will they train the boys?
H: How do the coaches need to be trained?
RM: When I started GFDC there were no coaches. I have selected former players from the clubs and universities, who were advised to do B, D and C licence courses. There has to be some scientific courses also. You need coaches, who can draw session plans, specialised coaching for keepers, defence, forwards, etc. We are lagging behind by 10 to 15 years; all because of the lethargy of football associations and clubs.
H: What is the reason behind the low turnout for the football games?
RM: Publicity and bonding with the fans are the main causes behind low turnout. The local teams need to make publicity at their level. Secondly, there is no sense of belonging. If you see the English Premier League every team is virtually named after that city. GFDC has already started naming the team’s village wise which gives the mindset that the team belongs to that particular village. The clubs need to catch on the people to be members of the clubs. One more reason is we have had more number of inter-state players on the field. Transport, weekend matches, late matches are the other reasons behind less turnout.
H: What is your opinion about the top clubs opting out of the I-League?
RM: In principle, it was injustice to these clubs but they could have stayed on in the system and fought it under protest. Now, they have closed the doors to all Goan players, to play in the top tier. Only those who are shining will be picked by the top clubs but the rest will suffer. What we need is commitment.
