Goa which has the distinction of producing top classfootballers, has now an opportunity to display the skills of its players on aninternational platform, without moving out of the state. On the field, thoughthere will not be seniors but the U-23 footballers who will compete againstplayers from football powerhouses Portugal and Brazil. The event: 3rd edition of the Lusofonia Games. The venue:Fatorda stadium.
In preparations for the Games, the Goa Football Associationhas already conducted trial camps to handpick the best. Under the direction ofthree coaches, Robert Fernandes, Anthony Periera and Lino Periera, thepreliminary football selection trails were conducted at two venues in thestate, in the North at Taleigao ground and in the South at Nagoa ground.
“We have shortlisted around 22 players from the trial roundswe have had,” disclosed Lino. But the cream of the players will be sourced outfrom the I-league playing clubs from the state,” he said.
“We have approached the I-league playing clubs in Goa torelease players for the Lusofonia games, but that will happen only once theI-league comes to an end, which will be sometime before the monsoons,” headded.
This means that the final squad could consist of playersfrom Dempo SC, Salgoacar SC, Sporting Club de Goa, Churchill Bros and otherclubs. Players from the Sesa football Academy will be also be tried out,revealed the coach.
When questioned if a residential camp will be held once theplayers are shortlisted, the coach left it to the GFA to decide. But with timerunning out, footballer elders felt that adequate training should be imparted,as the players would be pitched against teams of international repute.
When asked what the prospects of the all-Goan squad wouldbe, the coach expressed confidence that the Goans would give in their best toclinch top honours.
The Games which will consist of nine disciplines ”Athletics, Basketball, Football, Judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Volleyball,Beach Volleyball and Wushu, will have the football squad consisting of Goanplayers only
