When the chips are down, teams look to the twelfth man toprovide some energy. While Indian football may not draw enough spectators tospur a team, the clubs are trying different things to seek inspiration.Salgaocar Football Club recently launched its 'club anthem'. And the two-timenational league champions are going to make the most of the racy track 'ForcaForca Viva Salgaocar'.
Elaine Colasco, Manager- Strategy and BusinessDevelopment who was closely involved inthe development of this project said“ The idea came to our MD ShivanandSalagocar. He loves football and wanted the fans to identify with the team. Hewanted to create a feeling of belonging. His daughter, Swati Salgoacar wasoperationally involved during the recording process with the popular artistsDarryl Rodrigues and Sharon Rodrigues. An anthem is vital in the culture of ateam and this song is fulfilling that need for us“.
The first verse of the anthem goes like this : "Withour heads held high, we will walk hand in hand; we believe we shall conquer,the ground on which we stand; through the darkened sky, as a team we all cansee; the shimmer of a rainbow, that holds a promise, for you and me".
The emphasis is clearly on the unity of the team even as theclub hopes to build a strong unit with a promise of their capability to wingames. But when the things do not go their way, the club will go through thehighs and lows, all together.
Using Konkani in chorous, the club has tried to galvanisethe 'Goenkars' to support the team, saying: "Salgaocar, Salgaocar,sangattan rahun, fudem gallunya boll! Salgaocar, Salgaocar, dakoiya ami,dakoiya ami, sogleank, marun te goal! Salgaocar, Salgaocar, addaunk zainam,sopon amchem aiz; Goenkaracho mog sodanch amchem thaim; Forca, Forca VivaSalgaocar".
When she asked if the song had proved to be popular with thefans, Elaine said that there was some apprehension about the reaction of the fansbut it was dispelled with the response. The tune was being downloaded from YouTubeand was being used on phones.
She however hoped the authorities would allow the tune to beplayed during the Federation Cup.
