Speaking on the occasion, proprietor of Avlon Sportswear, Moses Gonsalves, who is also the parent of SFA’s junior trainee Malcom Gonsalves said, “India today is in the ISL era and Goa which has produced many ace footballers is now seeing the graph go down. Sesa FA continues to be the best academy in India which fosters the football spirit and encourage the sport. Given the tough times I am doing my bit to contribute to the academy. In my opinion the State government also needs to step in to offer assistance and make the Goa football team the best in the country.”
Sesa FA Academy has since its inception in June, 1999 churned out 109 footballers donning national and international jerseys.
Even during the mining ban the academy continued to support and mentor sportsmen. The recent months despite the restart of mining operations in the State have not been very viable for the business due to the huge meltdown in global prices of iron ore and high taxation that has hit the industry.
A restructuring effort in the maintenance of the academy has been forced upon the institution to continue training young football players in the State. Hence coaching and training of youth in the academy hereon will now be nominally charged for the sustenance of the institution. Students will now have to pay a fee of Rs 7,500 from June 2016. The charges came into effect from January, 2016 but the initial months have been charged at only Rs 5,000 (from Jan –April). The cost impact is due to the high standards that the organization wants to continue with regard to the nutritional needs of the students.
Addressing the parents and the students, AN Joshi, Head – Corporate Affairs said, “We seek your support and assistance in the matter to overcome the tough time that the mining industry is facing. Our focus to nurture the football talent in the State remains and we sincerely hope that we will wade through this crisis soon.”
It must be noted, SFA’s 11 budding stars have been selected to represent the Goa team in the prestigious BC Roy tournament taking place in Punjab.
