TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Goa’s budding footballers aged from six to 12 had a ball of a time as Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) celebrated the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Football Festival Day at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Thursday.
A total of 210 trainees from GFDC’s 20 training centres such as Valpoi, Sulcorna, Aldona, Moira, Navelim, Benaulim, Khandepar, Collem, Pernem, Mayem, Poira, Quepem, Paroda, Sankhali, Cuncolim, Arpora, Devabhag, Amone, Savoi-Verem and Shiroda participated.
The entire program which started at 3 p.m. was split into six different work stations consisting where the kids got engaged in seven v. seven, ball juggling, dribbling and passing, turning and passing, one v. one and two v. two. Derryl D’Souza and Socorro Vaz, both, GFDC’s officers (coaching) conducted the festival alongwith 47 GFDC coaches.
Elvis Gomes, GFDC’s member secretary and GFA’s vice-president (South) in his address expressed happiness to see the turnout. Dr Rufino Monteiro, chairman of GFDC was delighted to see the kids enjoying the beautiful game.
“At one stage, the young trainees did not know to kick the ball but now, they have flourished under the GFDC coaching centres. They are performing drills so well and if they continue with dedication and commitment they are destined to be great footballers and hopefully take India to the World Cup.” expressed Dr Rufino. GFDC council members Stanislaus D’ Souza, Liberata Mascarenhas and Agnelo Fonseca were also present.
