PANJIM: The 60th anniversary of the foundation of Goa Football Association (GFA) will be observed on December 22, with an exhibition women’s football match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa at 6.15 p.m. to mark the launch of the Diamond Jubilee Year 2019-20 celebrations.
It will be preceeded by a traditional Goan cultural drill presented by the students of St Mary’s Convent Primary School.
“Football is a powerful force for binding people together, uniting people of all ages, all backgrounds and all walks of life. It is a super passion for all Goans, it is our State’s official game, it’s part of the fabric of our State. We, Goans, love football. From village playing fields up and down Goa, right upto the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda, Goans live and breathe football. As the head of the 60-year old association, our mission at the GFA will be to continue inspiring young people to play football and benefit from all that the beautiful game offers – team spirit, health, focus on life and, above all, just the sheer thrill and excitement of playing football,” stated Churchill Alemao, president.
“We recall that on this day in 1959, the GFA was constituted as an independent body -Associacao Futebol de Goa – with Lt Joao Luis Aranha as its founding president. It was a defining moment for Goan football. Subsequently, the GFA was granted affiliation by the All India Football Federation in 1968. It was the result of the untiring efforts of late B M Parkkot and his team. And once, the GFA achieved this important landmark, it opened the door for greener pastures,” pointed out Churchill.
“We are indebted to the AIFF, the Government of Goa, SAG, DSYA for their support. Our clubs are our backbone. We recall so many personalities for their selfless, dedicated work who were and are part of various official committees right from 1959 until now 2018-2022, the patrons of clubs which are the rock of football development with the current number being 184, the players, coaches, other officials, referees, the Press, fans, volunteers, the staff, the administrators, spectators and several others, the organisers of inter-village tournaments, having come a long way past the Silver, Ruby, Golden Jubilee Years. It has been a herculean task no doubt,” remarked Churchill.
“Football in India is progressing at a fast pace with new States offering a stiff challenge to the well established old timers. Grassroots development, youth leagues are vital. Certainly no need to reinvent the wheel. This has been a setback for our development, but with Chief Minister Dr Promod Sawant and high ranking Government officials promising full support, we are confident that the GFA will usher in a new era of football development in Goa, so that we regain the numero uno position in India,” commented Churchill.
“We need to develop a strategic plan for all – women, men, elite, grassroots, youth, young and mature players, coaches, referees, officials, administrators with the ultimate focus being to excel at the national championships. The plan has to be developed to reflect the views of all, but we need to change the way we are working now, with the help of Executive Committee, General Body (all clubs), officials, several others connected with the game so as to have a coherent and ambitious plan for the development of the game,” concluded Churchill with the slogan: “Football for all, all for football.”
