Money makes the world go round, and that holds good for Goan football. From one of the richest sports associations to one which is left virtually to the mercy of the State government for funds sums up one part of the Goan football story.
With three to four clubs in the National Football League, now rechristened and known as the I-League, the Goa Football Association (GFA) was flush with funds a few decades back. Turn to the present, the GFA coffers are literally empty with the source of funds drying up.
Gate collection from the National Football League and I-League meant GFA did not have to look elsewhere for funds, as it got a percentage of gate collection from the I-League matches held in Goa, with a percentage going to the I-League clubs.
During this time, GFA put some money in the form of Fixed Deposit certificates.
The situation changed drastically with the pullout of three Goan clubs -- Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa -- from the I-League in 2016, citing All India Football Federation (AIFF) had no vision for the game in the country.
With only one club, Churchill Brothers left in the I-League, and with a drastic fall in gate collection and less number of matches, the funds underwent a drastic shift, as a gush of cash flow was reduced to a trickle. Over the years the pullout was felt, with GFA having to rely upon the Fixed Deposit in banks to pay their bills.
On the other hand, the advent of the Indian Super League in October 2013 further reduced the importance of the I-League. Fans turned their back on the I-League matches in Goa, some of which were held at Tilak Maidan and some at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
When it comes to gate collection of the Indian Super League, GFA does not get anything in terms of financial benefits for hosting matches. The other source of revenue was from international football matches hosted in Goa, but with the turnout of fans in the State proving to be disappointing over the years, those matches have also not come Goa's way, thereby drying up yet another potential revenue for the State association
Will the situation improve with the return of Dempo Sports Club to the I-League after a gap of nine years? If it brings more fans and more gate collection with two I-League clubs (Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers) playing their matches in Goa and also making GFA richer remains to be seen.
