PANJIM: Football is not just a game. It’s a sport filled with emotions, excitement and passion which can lift us any moment and then throw us into the pits of despair. Whether we played the game or watch the teams played, we have all experienced these moments and still cherish them in ‘The Beautiful Game’.
But ask the underprivileged children about this, it’s harder for them to find it. However, they were given an opportunity to experience the beautiful game in Mormugao Taluka by some of the football passionate, administrators and clubs.
The Covid Pandemic had brought a halt to all the major sporting activities across the world. While the international events started kicking off slowly, the sport resumed in Goa only with Indian Super League in November 2020 and now with Goa Professional League in the last week.
However, for general public and children it isn’t the same. With schools opting study from home and with most of the sporting academies closed, the children have been left with no sport for almost a year. Well that has been just for a year. But what about the under privileged children?
Conceptualised by MM Mutawalli, a former State coach and AFC Licensed coach Umer Mutawalli got together with GFA Mormugao executive members Francisco Nunes and Adlear D’Cruz along with Mangor Sports Club & Salgaocar FC initiated the street soccer campaign for the underprivileged students of Mormugao.
“Street football has been organised for the under privileged kids to give them a chance to experience the beautiful game. Together let’s bring a change and a smile. Poverty is not being without money, but being with Hope,” stated Umer Mutawalli, AFC license coach.
There was unexpected turnout from the children as many walked in bare feet while some had their slippers on, but despite not having the boots, the children kicked the ball around wearing their smiles on.
The participants were introduced to the game and were given a chance to take part in various games related to football such as dribbling, king of the ring, penalty kicks, heading, free-kicks etc.
Last season The Goa Football Association stressed their motto ‘Football for all’. A sport which wouldn’t see of any difference in terms of race, caste or creed and the Ace Soccer Academy (ASA) took a step forward along with the members of the State association from the Mormugao zone to take the sport to the street.
“League matches, baby leagues, seminars, orientation workshop, community outreach programmers, grassroots football we had everything covered up in Mormugao when Umer came up with the idea of street football. Adlear and myself as GFA Executive Members did not think twice to work on it. We struggled at the first edition at Zari, Sancoale but at Mangor we had full support coming from our clubs, football fans which is a good thing for football in Mormugao,” stated Francisco Nunes, GFA Executive Member Mormugao.
Former International & State football player Rowilson Rodrigues made it to encourage the budding talent.
The programme put together by ASA saw the support from GFA Members from Mormugao Francisco Nunes (Shikeet) and Adlear D’Cruz.
