ALLAN D’CRUZ
PANJIM: In modern world, money, stardom and football go hand in hand. It’s a market where players relocate themselves for their high market value and a handsome salary.
However, It’s not money which inspires always, sometimes it’s love for the game. In a recently concluded Goa Sevens Premier League Season 2, FC Bardez players proved that true love and passion still does exist in the sports.
The players and the coach went out of their way and found sponsor for their entry fee of Rs 50,000 to participate in the tournament and also played the tournament without any salary or fees nor even allowance.
“Our management had turned down the club’s participation in the GSPL due to financial reasons,”said a FC Bardez player.
We haven’t been paid by the club for a long time but money isn’t everything. We played here for the love of the game,” he added. The player further revealed that they were also not given a major portion of the sum assured prior to the Goa Pro League kick off last season, due to financial crisis at the club.
“We played in this tournament because you don’t get chances too often to play with the big clubs. Money is not greater than experience. We played here for a reason, a reason to prove ourselves,” said another FC Bardez player on the conditions of anonymity.
However, FC Bardez, coached by Climax Lawrence, a former India international and Dempo SC great, played as a unit in the Goa Sevens league and showed great signs of professionalism on the field along with their performance.
Despite facing a strong opposition from the management, Climax stood by the players and also coached and guided his team in the semi-finals. The underdogs played great football in the league where they knocked out Sesa FA 3-1 in the quarters before losing 0-5 against runners-up Sporting Clube de Goa in the semi-finals.
“Football is passion. The players went and got the sponsor for entry fee on their own to play in the tournament, despite knowing they wouldn’t be paid to play. We had taken the permission from our CEO Savio to participate here,” explained Climax Lawrence.
Lawrence further revealed that one Good Samaritan turned up and paid 10,000 rupees to cover the practice sessions ground usage fees during the GSPL season towards.
FC Bardez, has been marred with controversies and uncertainties following its title owner’s Sydney Lemos’ involvement in a Ponzi Scheme which duped hundreds of locals and expats in Dubai. The club finished 11th with 16 points in the Goa Pro League, just two points above relegated Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim. The club struggled to keep the players in place during the course of the season, but yet managed to end the season by securing themselves for another season in the league.
