They also introduced their coach for the programme, Gavin Araujo, who is an AFC A license coach and a former captain of Goa U-16, U-19 and U-21 youth teams with a long playing stint at Vasco SC.
Arjuna Awardees and FC Goa’s well wishers Brahmanand Sankhwalkarand Bruno Coutinho also graced the festival. FC Goa star Romeo Fernandes and teammate Mandar Rao Desai were also present and were mobbed by the children for autographs and pictures.
The festival saw over 800 budding children participate from 16 schools spread all across Goa. The select age group were from six to 12 years. FC Goa’s initiative will strengthen the football programme of these 16 schools while at the same time, nurturing the budding talents.
The children demonstrated their skills under the watchful eyes of Gavin and four of his assistant coaches and eight grassroots coaches, besides 16 PE teachers from the respective schools.
The programme will be conducted twice a week for each participant under expert guidance and in course of time, a select group of short-listed trainees will be able to choose football as a rewarding professional career.
Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies, said, “Football is the sport of Goa and supporting it is second nature to all of us. This grassroots initiative has been born with the intent to give birth to rising stars in Goa and we are certain that we will; with the combination of the interest in the sport, incredible talent and an amazing team we have put in place to harness it.”
Co-owner of FC Goa Dattaraj Salgaocar stated that, “Developing the game of football is paramount to the continued success of FC Goa and we are committed to seeing it through. We have been working on extensive plans on setting up a World class youth development programme with the aim to having a majority of our players in the club coming through our youth system. These are exciting times for FC Goa and its bright future. Forca Goa!.”
