PANJIM: The Government of Goa has granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to All India Football Federation (AIFF) players and technical officials to come to Goa for the National Football camps for Women and Men to represent India in the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup and the Asian U-16 Men Football Championship respectively in Goa from July 15, 2020.
India is supposed to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup from February 11 to March 7, 2021 whilst the U-16 tournament is scheduled to be held in Bahrain from November 25, 2020.
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“We received the NOC from the government of Goa on July 3 , and preparations are on to get both the teams and the technical staff from July 15 as our NOC is operative from that day ,” a senior AIFF source told Herald requesting anonymity.
“Bibiano (Fernandes) is in Goa and he will be joined by other members once transport logistics are put in place. We may have to employ air, rail and road as travel restrictions vary from State to State. The idea is to get the training started within the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) released by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the ones prevailing in Goa,” stated the source.
The AIFF had in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant , on June 29 , written that it was planning to host the boys team at the AIFF training centre in Fatorda and the women team in a hotel close to the Nehru stadium in Fatorda.
“Both the places have prepared for the 14 days quarantine period for players and officials, and all safety precautions will be implemented. The hotel has promised us to seal the building once the team will check in and no other guest will be allowed to check in. Similarly, AIFF training centre will be sealed for outsiders once the players and officials of the U-16 Men’s team check in,” read the AIFF letter.
“AIFF will appoint a team of doctor and physio for 24×7 to keep check on players and will keep the daily record of each and every player which can be submitted to you if required,” said the AIFF letter.
The Government of Goa wrote to AIFF on July 3 stating that it has been decided to; accord a NOC to AIFF adhering to the Tourism Department Circular for entry of people into the State.
The Women team for the U-17 World cup is being trained by Thomas Dennerby from Sweden who is presently in Sweden. “Alex Ambrose is assistant coach of the Women team and he will take charge in his absence,” maintained the AIFF source.
“The technical team of the U-16 Men’s team comprises of Indians so we are ready to go, once all reach Goa. We have asked for the Utorda ground for the U-16 Men’s team and the ground in Vadi , Benaulim for the Women’s team , “ disclosed our source.
“The AIFF has sent us a proposal for the Utorda ground from July 27 and the want the Vadi ground for the women’s team. August is the month when it rains heavily and the pitch will be damaged with training. I have sent a proposal to my higher ups to decide on the feasibility of leasing the ground,” confirmed Mahesh Revankar general secretary of stadium with SAG.
