With
just a week left it looks difficult for the club to cope up with the required
requisite for competing in India’s top football league. However, the CEO of
Churchill Bros, Valanka Alemao, is confident that the team will definitely
obtain success and bring laurels to Goans and football afficionados.
ANANT BAKHALE has a tete-a-tete with the CEO of the club.
1. As Churchill
Brothers is the only survival surviving Goan team in the I-League this season,
are you confident that your team will find success since the team is
re-instated after two years.
Yes. In spite of the club not being in the I-league we
have been playing continuously in the Goa Pro League. This season is the only
time we have not performed well but if you see the last two years we have
performed extremely well. Churchill Brothers will definitely obtain success and
bring laurels to Goans and football aficionados.
With the
team not doing well in the Goa Pro League (currently lying in the 8th
place) are you looking for a complete overhaul of the team?
The team which we have right now is definitely not
good enough to play at the national level. We are carrying out a intense search
for talented players. There are lot of players coming on trials and we need to
see the ground reality. With the three Goan teams withdrawing there are many
players who are not representing any team in the I-League.
2. Churchill
Bros will have choice of Goan players now since the teams’ withdrawal. Will you
give preference to local talent?
For me Goa means the whole world. Representing Goa is
something we have done for a decade and we have had the best players (local and
national and international) who are in every club at present. But this year we
want to give more representation to local players.
3.
Besides Goan and
national players are any foreign players in your probables list?
Yes. My family has always been closely connected with the
club and we have learnt from them that you need foreign players because that’s
how you get exposure and learn new skills. You need to see every aspect of the
team, both on and off the field. It was Churchill Bros who brought in the best
foreign players to India.
4. What will be
your budget on players? Is the club financially strong to buy players in the
top range?
As of now there is no budget fixed by the club. If I
was a player I would first want to be on a platform where I could show my
talent, where I could get exposure. It is not just about money, it’s about
passion, enthusiasm, the zeal where you need to show how good you are.
5.
Was it the right
step of the other three Goan teams (Salgaocar SC, Dempo SC, Sporting Clube de
Goa) to pull out of the I-League?
Everybody’s decision need to be respected. It is their
decision and I can’t be judge other’s decision but it is very sad. I have grown
up watching all these three clubs. The rivalry at home has been the sweetest
thing for Goa. Goa has been always been the hub of Indian football.
6.
If given a chance
do you feel these three clubs should return to I-League?
I will miss the rivalry and its going to be the best
thing if all the three clubs return to the I-League. To run a club is not a
joke. It’s load of hard work, a lot of dedication and an undying passion which
all this three clubs have shown in the past. All the four clubs represented Goa
very well in the League and have topped it many times.
7.
What will be the
fate of young Goan footballers as they will no longer get an exposure like
before due to withdrawal of the clubs?
The player
fraternity is facing the biggest alarming concern with so much of unemployment
which has all happened in few months. The players who had lot of demand in the
past have lost their punch today. If we look at the players, their experience
and their potential, I think every player wants to be in the national league to
show their talent because that’s the platform to be noticed. The very fact that
there is not a single Goan in the Under-17 World Cup when Goa has so much of
potential worries me. I feel that the teams’ withdrawal will affect the players
in one way or the other.
8.
You fought so
hard for the club’s survival. What was the success mantra?
My success mantra is my father’s belief in me and that
is what took me so far. He believed that if you have a dream you need to work
hard. My hard work, perseverance, determination and ‘never say never’ helped me
fight for the club.
9.
Any special plans
for carrying the team in the top notch?
I believe in
going with the flow. We have been a club which has been champions. I can
proudly say that every existing trophy in India has been won by the Churchill
Brothers including I-League, Durand Cup, Federation Cup and the IFA Shield.
This is like god’s blessing. Obviously as a champion club we will be always be wishing
to be in the top notch. It’s a team work and we need to work very hard for
that. We need support from our family, management and more importantly the well
wishers and our fans who are praying for the club.
10.
What will be your
advice to the young budding footballers?
Football is the identity of Goa and today it is the
official sport of the State and we can’t let this opportunity go wasted. Goa is
one of the States which has the best infrastructure. Young footballers should
work hard and not give up. Goa is famous all over the world for the three Fs –
football, feni and fish. Everyone in the world faces challenges and one,
specially the youth, should focus on their career once they know what they are
looking for and where they are heading to.
