TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: A record number of 64 teams, including two outstation ones, will participate in the first-ever full-fledged barefoot beach football tournament packaged with music and entertainment organized by TransStadia from February 5-10 at Calangute beach.
The event, the first of its kind in the state is being backed by GFA, SAG, Calangute Panchayat and supported by Beach Soccer Worldwide, Beach Soccer India and GFDC.
ALL FOR BEACH SOCCER: Udit Sheth, |
“Calangute’s sun, sand and sea will provide a perfect scenario for a blend of football, music and fun. It has the backing of Calangute panchayat, Tourism Department, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and we hope that it will be a yearly affair where tourists will also be attracted in large numbers,” echoed both MLA Michel Lobo as well as Joseph Sequeira at the press briefing here, Monday. As such, we have extended our full cooperation and support, they added.
“ “Goa is the epicenter of football and tourism what with golden sand beaches. And, now we add football, music and top class entertainment with top DJs,” stated Udit Sheth, managing director and CEO TransStadia, who announced that an India team will be selected for the South Africa tournament to be held in March and that plans were afoot to have the second edition of the tournament later this year, besides organizing beach soccer in other states as well. The first spillover of the event has been the cleanliness of the beach,” remarked Udit.
Arjuna awardee Bruno Coutinho, who captained the India team for AFC beach soccer championship in Bali some years ago, praised the organizers for launching beach football in a big manner in Goa.
The tournament will kick off on Tuesday at 3 p.m. with the formal opening at 5.30 p.m.
The finals will be played on Sunday and plans are afoot to host an all-girls exhibition festival match.
On February 8 and 9, it will be non-stop entertainment with India’s top music artistes alongwith some of the top DJs from across the globe with electrifying music. DJ Ankytrixx, DJ Tuhin Mehta, DJ Marlo, DJ Simon Patterson will be seen on February 8 while DJ Mon, DJ Arun Vagale, DJ First State and DJ Sasha will take centre stage on February 9.
The 2-day affair, is expected to bring an assorted mix of football, music events, the DJs and cheerleaders all under one roof.
Sporting Clube de Goa A and B, Dempo Juniors, Churchill Bros (Red Machine) are among the leading participating teams.
The winners will get Rs 75,000, the runners-up Rs 50,000, best player Rs 15,000 and best goalkeeper Rs 15,000 besides trophies.
SAG’s ED Elvis Gomes, GFDC Chairman Dr Rufino Monteiro, Kuldip Gaonkar, Station Manager, 92.7 Big FM also spoke.
GFA’s Savio Messias, Welwyn Menezes, Alirio Lobo were also present.
