MARGAO
Three National Football League titles, six I-League crowns and six Federation Cup trophies - this is Goa's record in Indian domestic football.
Goan women have brought glory to the ‘beautiful game’ both at the national and international levels. Unfortunately, their State has been unwilling or unable to match their significant contributions to football with actual resources.
Goa reached the semifinal in 2004, 2008, 2005-2006, 2007-2008. Goa were crowned champions in the Junior Girls National Football Championship 2001-2002 in Goa. The State produced famed women footballers like Yolanda D'Souza, Rekha Kamat Karpurkar, Guliana Colaco, Ritina Pereira, Succorinha Pereira and Maria Rebello.
Will anyone step up to rescue women’s football from the doldrums and take it to the level expected from a state that boasts a proud soccer history or will the Goa Football Association continue to give women’s football the cold shoulder?
In 2022, there is not a single player from the State in India’s 21-member squad for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. So what happened to the State, once revered and adored as one of the country’s football hubs?
Opinions differ, but all agree on one point “ Goa isn’t the football hotbed anymore. But head to the local grounds, you will see at least five-six girls with a football at their feet. They are not professional players, not even amateur footballers. But they all share a common passion for the game.
Then why does a Goan player not feature in the Indian U-17 squad? All blame the clubs and their decision to dissociate themselves from the I-League. "It is sad to see no place for a Goan player in the U-17 Women's World Cup squad despite having a historic past, wealth of talent and a Goan assistant coach. It's unbelievable; we just can't take it," says Gasper Crasto, former Goa and Salgaocar player.
"Goa being one of the footballing States, I would request the association to also take the women's league very seriously because it's very sad that not a single Goan is in the under-17 squad. It's time to focus more on the youth levels when it comes to girls, so I would request the GFA, as well as the local clubs to do more. I can only see a few clubs like Sirvodem Sports Club, Compassion FC and FC Goa trying to focus on women's football," said Alvito D'Cunha, former India attacking midfielder. "It is unfortunate that we don't have a player representing from Goa in the Indian U-17 team. Also, we didn't have a player in the women's Asian Cup which took place in Mumbai in January 2022. So we shouldn't try to make an issue out of that. Rather, we must work together for the overall development of women's football," said Maria Rebello, former India captain.
"Sports must be developed on a scientific basis with a professional approach, with emphasis at school and college level for the State to achieve a position of eminence in the field," said Ritina Pereira, former India footballer. "During my playing days, we played with dedication sans grounds and rich nourishment because we love football and its passion. Football runs in the blood of Goans," Pereira said.
