The Grassroots Festival was declared open by Fr Evan Carvalho, Principal of Don Bosco High School, Panjim, in the presence of Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho and a host of SCG stars which included the likes of Boima Karpeh and Ravi Kumar.
Bruno Coutinho in fact had a dual role, as apart from being an iconic and inspirational figure for the kids, he was also a proud father escorting his son, at the festival.
SCG President Peter Vaz was all smiles as he noted the impressive response to the grassroots festival and made it a point, along with Bruno Coutinho, to personally shake hands and distribute the participation certificates to each individual kid. The young lads went home with a Flaming Oranje jersey.
The festival drew kids from Bethesda Life Centre, Santa Cruz and Margaret Don Bosco Bal Sadan, Uccasaim apart from schools like Auxilliam (Caranzalem), Santo Minguel (Taleigao), Chubby Cheeks (Pilerne), Sacred Heart (Anjuna), St Clara’s (Assonora), St Ann’s (Tivim),St Joseph’s (Calangute), St Britto’s (Mapusa), Rosary (Miramar), Don Bosco( Panjim), Sharda Mandir(Miramar) and Mustifund (Panjim).
The half day festival was conducted by SCG Head of Youth Development Mahesh Lotlikar assisted by coaches Javier Cabreras, Norbert Gonsalves, Alex Alvares, Seby Noronha and Anthony Vaz, under the overall supervision of SCG General Secretary Edward Noronha; Competitions Director Angelo Albuquerque and CEO Victor Fernandes. The team of volunteers was drawn from the junior ranks of SCG. Elaborate arrangements were made for water points, breakfast and lunch for all the participants.
This is the first of the season’s grassroots festivals planned by SCG with the objective of broadening up the base of its Football Devlopment Pyramid. The next grassroots festival is planned for South Goa on November 16.
