Inacio Noronha
inacio@herald-goa.com
FATORDA: As the Junior National Football Tournament for Girls is coming close, the Goa Football Association (GFA) officials, on Saturday, inspected the Fatorda Artificial Turf and gave a green signal for the same.
PJN Fatorda Stadium manager Laximidas Mangueshkar was a party to the inspection team.
The tournament will kick off from August 20 with some matches also being played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Laximidas informed Herald the ground is in good condition. A final inspection will be carried out on the Independence Day.
“This is the first time that a National tournament is being held on the artificial turf. The ground is in excellent condition, all facilities are available but if at all there is a need of additional requirement it will be done by August 15”, said Laximidas.
GFA Vice-President Schubert Furtado said that 26 teams will be taking part in the tournament. The teams will be equally divided in both the grounds with 13 based in the north and 13 at Fatorda.
“We have a strong Goa team which is right now practising here (artificial turf). The team comprises players who have played in the GFA league as well as some good players from schools and higher secondaries,” Schubert added.
“We have excellent players in Karishma and Somaiya who have proved their worth on the ground. But it will not be that easy for Goa since they will face tough opponents like Manipur and Orissa”, he said.
GFA executive member Arnald D’Costa said, “The preparations are going on in full swing. All committee members are together to make this tournament a grand success. I thank the AIFF for giving this opportunity to host this tournament in Goa.”
