PANJIM: As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, coaches and officials of FC Goa along with children who are part of the FC Goa’s Youth Development Programme came together to participate in a beach cleaning drive at the beach stretch along the Campal sports ground, here, on Saturday.
FC Goa players Romeo Fernandes and Joaquim Abranches also participated in the beach clean-up drive.
Sports enthusiasts including promoters, coaches, officials, students, football players and supporters of FC Goa came forward to clean the beach stretch and rid it of garbage and debris which washes along the shoreline.
Following the beach clean-up, FC Goa football players Romeo Fernandes and Joaquim Abranches played an impromptu game of football on the beach stretch along with young players from FC Goa’s grassroots programme.
Speaking on the beach clean-up initiative said Dattaraj Salgaocar Managing Director of V M Salgaocar Group said, “FC Goa has always believed that as a team we have a social responsibility towards the environment and society. The coastal clean-up drive initiated by FC Goa is our collective effort for a Swachh Goa or a Clean Goa drive on our pristine beaches and to create an awareness among the people of Goa and the youth and to collectively give back to the local community.”
Shrinivas Dempo Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies stated, “This stretch of beach lies along the sports ground and sports facilities in the capital Panaji. It seemed apt that we clean the beach stretch which is frequented often by sports players and enthusiasts of all ages. This is a collective effort which has been taken to contribute towards a cleaner and healthier environment in Goa.”
FC Goa star Romeo Fernandes who is just back in Goa after a stint in Brazil with Clube Atletico Paranaense joined into the beach cleanup initiative. He said, “The beaches and Goa’s love for football are two of my favourite things about Goa. As a proud team player of FC Goa I am happy to do my part to clean this beautiful beach stretch along the capital city’s sports ground. We hope many more people come out onto the lovely beaches of Goa and play the beautiful game of football.”
