PANJIM: The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), with the help of Goa Football Association (GFA) and Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), is all set to host the 1st Khelo India Girls Football League U-17, from December 20 to January 6.
“The league is first of its kind being organised all over the country, formulated by the Sports Authority of India/Khelo India, with the objective to encourage the girl child to play football to keep themselves fit and strong. The league will also help to spot and nurture the local talent from towns and villages. The players will also get an opportunity to showcase their talent and even make it to the National team,” said Ashok Kumar, IAS, Secretary Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and chairman of the Steering Committee.
“My sincere congratulations to the Goa Government and especially to its dynamic secretary for sports Ashok Kumar for the great initiative in accepting in launching the First Khelo India U-17 Women’s Football League in Goa. I urge the girls to make the best use of the opportunity and also hoping to see many Goan girls in the U-17 women’s World Cup team,” stated GFA President Churchill Alemao while addressing the gathering.
“The championship will raise the profile of women’s football in Goa and we have given a lot of emphasis for the development of women’s football with the Vedanta Cup having completed three years recently, stated Churchill who stressed that the new league will help a lot in the development of young women players in Goa in terms of preparation and improvement,” added Churchill.
SAG Executive Director VM Prabhudesai stated that this league would give a platform for the girls and at the same time they would have to give their best and hope to make it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup team.
The league in Goa will commence from December onwards, as total of 15 teams from Goa Development Council’s football centers, (8 from North zone and 7 from south zone), will participate in the said league.
Following are the teams: GFDC Arambol. North Pre Academy, Vagator, Dona Paula Lioness, Mayem, Mapusa, Poira and Dona Paula Tigress; South: GFDC Savoiverem, Utorda, Cortalim, Devabhag, Ambelim, South Pre Academy, Benaulim.
A total of 30 matches will be played on league basis to determine the first champion of Goa from the said league which will be played across five venues (3 in North –SAG Athletics, DSYA Aldona ground & Duler Stadium, Mapusa and 2 in South –SAG ground, Utorda and SAG ground, Benaulim)
Shashank Mani Tripathi, Director DSYA, Aleixo Da Costa, Member Secretary GFDC, Bruno Coutinho and other were present for the conference.
The opening match is scheduled to be played on 20 December at Bambolim Stadium between GFDC Arambol v. GFDC Dona Paula Lioness.
