PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant responded sportingly to the request made by Goa Football Association President Churchill Alemao and announced an immediate grant of Rs 1 crore to the state football association.
“I understand the situation at the GFA and considering the quantum of activities held round the clock, I have decided to grant GFA 1 crore urgently which will be released in this month,” stated Chief Minister Pramod Sawant while addressing the GFA Executive Members and press at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, on Tuesday.
“Our late CM Parrikar announced football as the State sport and had started GFDC wherein the training programmes have been conducted for the children between the age group of 6 to 14 years in all the talukas. And GFA has been doing good job too. They have 182 clubs, have been participating at National tournaments, organising various leagues and I realised they are in need of our support,” explained Pramod Sawant.
“Churchill Alemao is known for his passion and love for football and has always raised his voice for football not only in the assembly but everywhere. He has worked hard towards the sport and deserves due respect and credit,” expressed Sawant.
Having a budget of approximately 9 cr, GFA President Churchill Alemao had written to the Chief Minister seeking a grants of Rs 5 Cr, and CM Sawant stated that the same would be reviewed accordingly.
“The association will get a grant of Rs 1 cr immediately. For the request of 5 cr, I shall verify from the finance department will check how much it’s actually viable to give finance to the association. We have been helping Churchill Brothers FC in developing football and we will also help Goa Football Association. Maximum help will be given to GFA,” added CM Pramod Sawant.
GFA President Churchill Alemao was jubilant following the biggest announcement and said, “It a great news for our association and for the development of football. Our dynamic Chief Minister has always been supportive on the developmental fronts and I am grateful to our CM. On behalf of all the 182 clubs I thank the Chief Minister in giving us the much needed grants and providing us a lifeline to run football development in Goa,” expressed Churchill Alemao.
Churchill also added the association will always support the chief minister.
“We will never forget what CM Pramod has done to us. I also ensure to CM Pramod that proper accounts will be maintained and will be produced to required departments and will utilise the funds in most efficient and effective ways,” explained Churchill.
GFA also requested to give them dedicated ground for easy organisation of the matches.
“We would like to have dedicated grounds and I request CM Sawant to help us in getting Benaulim, Utorda, Tilak, Bambolim, Agassaim, Bicholim and Assonora grounds which could be maintained jointly by SAG and GFA,” explained GFA General Secretary Jovito Lopes, GFA Senior Vice President Lavinio Rebello, Vice President Anthony Pango and other executive members thanked the CM for his great gesture and support.
