Streamline Goan football
Recently the AIFF has requested a few states and Football Associations in the country to take up the initiative to conduct league matches for U-13 group. This is a very good move in order to strengthen the football grassroots programs. In this regard Goa, by declaring football is the state game, has done well in setting up the Goa Football Development Council, reaching out to many parts of the state to conduct football coaching centres. We need the government to step in and see that every village has a playground of its own. The AIFF should check on the criteria of allowing the state government or academies having the capacity to conduct such league programmes, other than making football associations to take up the grasssroot programs. Take for example GFA has been involved in conducting the I-league, first, second and third division league matches, and added to that the U-14, and U-16 tournaments, this is too much for an association which is understaffed. In this regard GFDC would be the right body to conduct the U-13 league or grassroot program. A proper sports calendar for football should be put in place, taking into account exams and directorate of sport and youth affairs programmes.
Gregory E. D'souza, Siolim
Help farmers
The government’s decision to take over fallow lands under the Goa, Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act is questionable. What does the government plan to do with the land once the land use map is completed and the survey is done? Will the government initiate programmes to boost agricultural production in the state? The reason why lands are lying fallow is because agriculture is not a profitable business anymore. The State has to help promote this industry. There is also a need to start helping farmers transfer land to their names. Many a time the land is in the name of their fathers, grandfathers and beyond. The paperwork is so much that there is no time to actually farm the land. Perhaps cells can be created to facilitate this.
Bhushan Kamat, Panaji
NGO scam?
Recently, I came across some people in my colony who were trying to help stray dogs. They volunteered to treat some dogs who were badly affected my some disease, but asked us for money to treat them. The money that they asked for was not a small amount. What are these NGOs doing, if they’re going around asking us for money to treat dogs that do not belong to us. Is the government checking to see if these organisations are legal and are not fleecing people in the name of treating stray dogs? Their mission might be good but their methods are questionable. I am sure that there are many out there who are doing a good job, but there are people who are forming NGOs and making merry with other people’s money. There should be some sort of way of checking who is telling the truth and who is creating a scam.
Linette Dias, Porvorim
