PANJIM: The Executive Committee of the Goa Football Association on Tuesday decided to conduct the GFA Professional League for 2017-18 season for a minimum duration of seven months.
“The conduct of the GFA Professional League for the season 2017-18 was discussed and it was decided that the League taking into account the interest of the players and development of the game should be of longer duration of a minimum of seven months,” said GFA in a statement.
Due to the U-17 World Cup, it is likely that the League would be started in the month of November i.e. after the U17 World Cup and may extend up to May 2018,” said GFA .
The meeting was conducted in the GFA office under the chairmanship of GFA President Elvis Gomes.
“The proposal for from various clubs for direct entry into the league was deferred for want of details and it was decided to consider the same after further deliberations on the issue,” added GFA.
The GFA Executive Committee also appreciated the performance of the Goa State team, which emerged runners-up in the Senior National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy held in Goa.
The GFA also complimented all who were involved in the successful organisation of the same after a gap of nearly 21 years.
GFA has decided to send strong squads for the upcoming tournaments namely Sub Junior National Championship at Kerala, Junior National Championship for BC Roy Trophy 2016-17 at Chhattisgarh and Senior Women’s National Championship at Punjab.
The GFA also reviewed the disciplinary actions taken against some players and club officials.
“The cases of A A Moira, Portais Sporting Club, and Penha de France Sports Club were referred to the Disciplinary Committee for suitable action. The GFA has further warned all the clubs that strict action will be taken where incidents of gross indiscipline are reported and stated that discipline is an integral part of the game of football,” GFA stated.
The GFA approved a proposal from the Cerebral Palsy Football Federation of India to host the Cerebral Palsy Football Championship from May 22 to 23 at Duler, Mapusa and as a goodwill gesture offered all the GFA facilities without any charge to support the noble cause.
The GFA further requested all the member clubs to renew their annual registration by May 15.
“It has been decided that registration of clubs would not be renewed if all pending dues/fines are not paid before submission of the annual registration forms. The GFA has also opened up participation in futsal and beach soccer from the coming season,” stated GFA.
The prestigious Bandodkar Trophy which was revived after a period of more than 20 years last year as an U-21 Tournament will now be held as a season opener for top senior teams from the state as well as top outstation teams.
