PANJIM: Former GFDC (Goa Football Development Council) Member Secretary and CEO, Aleixo Costa, vehemently denied the allegations about his incompetency and integrity levelled against him at the press briefing today.
Aleixo referred to a letter written by GFA president Caitano to AIFF seeking his removal from the AIFF Grasroots Committee and accusing him of being incompetent and of doubtful integrity and that a vigilance inquiry had been instituted against him by Goa Government.
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Aleixo read out two reports from the Government which said: “There are no disciplinary proceedings or vigilance cases pending or contemplated against him from the Vigilance Department. The Government instituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to assess my performance for the last five years of my services perusing all records and assessed to grant me financial upgradation as I had an outstanding record of service.”
Aleixo pointed out that the GFA had sent a letter to AIFF seeking his removal alongwith three other Goan members and that the issue was raised by Caitano at the AGM of AIFF in Bengaluru last month. “Gujarat had placed 8 agenda points, Railway Board had 2, Kerala 5, Karnataka 14 for the promotion of football. Caitano, on behalf of GFA, presented only one single point as listed in the agenda, seeking the removal of four members from Goa, who find a place in AIFF committees. It was not taken up for discussion and subsequently, the AIFF legal cell had sent a reply to GFA as decided at the AGM, on July 13.”
Aleixo said the GFA had replied to the letter of AIFF’s Legal Department on July 24 stating that there was a Vigilance Inquiry against him for alleged syphoning of Govt funds, and also accusations that he was incompetent and expelled from GFDC on the same grounds. It also stated that he “has been appointed in the Standing Committee and this may prove detrimental considering the amount of money is invested in grassroots by AIFF.” “It amounted to character assassination. They tried to defame me,” stressed Aleixo, who added that he has had an impeccable record and clean slate in the Government service.
Aleixo also refuted all the accusations hurled at him by GFDC members Bruno, Caitano, Shataram, Brahmamand at the press conference at GFDC premises, Bambolim.
Aleixo pointed out that the under the GFA Statutes, both the president as well as the Executive Committee had no powers to seek the removal of members from AIFF. Under Art 26, residual powers, the committee has to implement decisions arrived at the General Body Meeting, he added. As such, he felt that they had exceeded their powers.
“I offered to resign from the AIFF Grassroots Committee, but the AIFF replied to me saying that I was needed given my experience and that my ideas could be used for pan-India benefit,” stated Aleixo.
“The decision to remove me alongwith three other Goans was taken at the Executive Committee. They also felt that no action was being taken as I was being protected by somebody in the Government. The decision by the Committee was signed by all members. Even Ravindra Jose Cabral had appended his signature. Everyone knows that I do not enjoy protection,” clarified Aleixo.
Aleixo finally offered three suggestions to Caitano. “Please target gold at the forthcoming National Games to be held in Goa. Start coaching of the team immediately, get a good coach, start training, make an effort.”
Aleixo’s second suggestion: “The Government has promised Rs 7 crores for GFA. Don’t spend all that in one go. Put Rs 5 crore as seed money in instruments so that you get maximum returns and use the returns for disbursing pension to former football players, many of whom are is distressful situation. Formulate a pension scheme for the players of yesteryears.”
The third suggestion: “Amend the GFA Statutes according to the Supreme Court directives as well as Goa Govt guidelines so as to fall in line with the Sports Code. They were amended at one time bringing in the amendment on age-bar of 70 which was directed at Churchill Alemao. The new amendments speak about the term for persons having had two terms in the committee. The Goa Government has asked all associations to follow the Sports Code and given also a deadline. Start working on that,” concluded Aleixo.
