PANJIM: The Goa Football Association are all set to host the West Zone Santosh Trophy Championship Qualifiers at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, from September 22 to 30.
“The stage is all set and we are ready to host the qualifiers with great zeal. The State association members have worked hard in getting this event together in place and I believe it will be a great success,” stated GFA President Churchill Alemao.
Altogether nine teams— Maharastra, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Services, Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh and host Goa.
“The teams have arrived in Goa and we are delighted to have them in our State. I wish them a good stay and an even better tournament. I wish them a good luck for this tournament,” expressed Churchill.
Goa has been clubbed in Group B along with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
In Group A, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Services will battled for supremacy.
The first match will be played between Gujarat and Services on Sunday while Daman and Diu and Maharashtra will clash in the second match on the same day. GFA President Churchill Alemao will inaugurate the tournament on Sunday.
The inaugural ceremony will be held at 7.45 p.m. followed by the match at 8.30 p.m.
Two matches will be played on the match-days with the first game kicking off at 8 a.m. while the second match will be played at 3.30 p.m.
Goa has been clubbed along with Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh. Goa will take on Rajasthan on September 23, Madhya Pradesh on September 25 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli on September 27.
“I personally feel this is one of the strongest team we have and coach Levino Anthony Pereira has worked hard with the squad and has done a commendable job in getting this squad in place. I hope they give their best and emerge west zone champs,” stated Churchill Alemao
Churchill Alemao announced the organising committee for the West Zone Santosh Trophy Championship which is headed by the GFA President as its chairman. The vice chairmen are Lavinio Rebello and Anthony Pango.
Organising secretary Greg D’Souza, assistant organising secretaries John Fernandes (accommodation), Dominic Pereira (Press/ Media), Mauricio Almeida (referees), Babli Mandrekar (grounds and Logistics), Dr Fenton De Souza (Medical) and Anthony Lobo (Stadium manager).
