TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
VALPOI: The Valpoi Vodafone-GFDC centre of the Goa Football Development Council celebrated its first anniversary of grassroots training, the day when the Goa Football Development Council first set foot to develop football at the grassroots, at the Valpoi Forest ground, today.
The Valpoi centre inaugurated at the hands of Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, who declared football as Goa’s State Sport has 178 trainees (140 boys & 38 girls) undergoing training under the watchful eyes of licensed coaches and trainers.
Six trainees Kiran Mirashi, Aiyan Sheikh, Luqman Sheikh, Musharaf Khan, Ashish Chawan & Mohammed Aga have been selected by SESA Football Academy while two more trainees were scouted and approached by Dempo S.C and many more trainees are coming through the ranks.
The Valpoi football centre Anniversary began with a march past by the trainees, followed by a penalty shootout for the parents who are the reason for the success of the centre. An exhibition football match between GFDC Staff and Valpoi centre Staff was also played, which was won by GFDC staff by a solitary goal from Iyno D’Souza.
At a formal function held at Valpoi Unity High School, the management felicitated Dr. Rufino Monteiro, Chairman, GFDC and Elvis Gomes, Member Secretary, GFDC for all their efforts in promoting football to the children of Valpoi through the centre.
Addressing the gathering Gomes, said that grass-root football development is an ongoing process and urged the trainees and their parents to be focused on the development of the game so that at least 2 youngsters from Valpoi make it to the Indian team for the U-17 FIFA world cup in India in 2017. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Dr. Rufino Monteiro, conveyed the greetings of the Chief Minister and added that the Vodafone – GFDC Valpoi centre was currently the best of all the 11 GFDC centres.
