Churchill awarded Barclays Shield for football promo

Churchill awarded Barclays Shield for football promo
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, DEC 11
Churchill Brothers Sports Club patron and PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao was felicitated at the Barclays Wealth India function at ITC Grande Central Hotel, Mumbai on Thursday.
The function was conducted by Charu Sharma, ace sports commentator in which former Indian international footballers Jo Paul Ancheri, I M Vijayan. Ilyas Pasha and others were honoured.
Churchill Alemao was presented with the Barclays Shield for his immense contribution in promoting Goan and Indian football, digging from his own pocket to run the family team which won the National League title besides several other prestigious all-India championships.
At a press conference at Nanutel Hotel, Margao, Churchill disclosed that he was extremely happy that his contributions were recognised and he was awarded the shield for best sports promoter in India. “I’m happy about the recognition given to me for my role in football over the years, it’s an honour for me that there are people who have appreciated my distinguished work towards football both in Goa and India,” said Alemao.
Regarding the development of soccer in India, Alemao stated that India can improve on the developmental front. “It is necessary that the All-India Football Federation sets up a football academy to nurture the talent available. Players should be picked from a young age and be made future stars. Coaches should be appointed from foreign countries as well as from our country and the trainees should be paid handsomely,” opined Churchill.
Alemao further suggested that quality foreign players playing in the country should be granted citizenship to play for the adopted country as this type of exercise is followed in European countries like France.
Churchill requested the AIFF vice-president, K R Khaleel to enhance the prize money for the winners of the I-League to Rs five crores.
Also present were Joaquim Alemao who stated that he had a word with AIFF’s president, Praful Patel on the matter. “I spoke to the president on increasing the prize money for the winners of the league and also doling out money to State Football Associations and I-League Clubs. We are pleased that the IMG sponsorship of the I-League has finally been secured. It’s a great moment and football can be developed in the right direction with financial aid,” Joaquim claimed.
Joaquim who is AIFF vice-president, also disclosed that the sponsor will help in providing good infrastructure to uplift the development of football.
Curtorim MLA, Reginaldo Lourenco, GFA member, Bishut Themudo, Churchill Brothers coach, Vincent Subramanian and Fr Conceicao Silva also spoke on the occasion.
Valanka Alemao proposed the vote of thanks.