PANAJI
Football, synonymous with Goa and Goans and officially designated the 'State Sport' a decade ago, has had some setbacks and legislators from the Opposition were in a pessimistic mood talking about the game in the House on Tuesday.
The issue was raised by Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa who expressed alarm over “the lack of football coaching classes" by GFDC (Goa Football Development Council),
Despite the sport being our State game and having great potential in these areas, D'Costa said, there was a lackadaisical approach with salaries of coaches being delayed and poor performance.
D'Costa was joined by several of his colleagues from the Opposition benches who all expressed concern over the declining fortunes of the game and that GFDC is falling short of the expectations from it.
Sports Minister Govind Gaude however sought to differ with this 'GFDC is failing' sentiment expressed by the Opposition MLAs.
Gaude quoted names of ISL players Nathan Rodrigues, Felixan Fernandes and a couple of others who he said learnt their football ABC at the GFDC centres.
The Sports Minister also claimed that almost 70 per cent of the players in local club football are sourced from the GFDC centres which have grown to 35 in number today. There are over 2,000 trainees being coached in these centres, he added.
Earlier, D'Costa had claimed that GFDC's performance was declining and payments to coaches were not being made promptly.
Several other MLAs including Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao also joined in the debate and asked Gaude to streamline its functioning.
Alemao said, Gaude should expedite bringing GFDC under the ambit of Goa Football Associaiton so that trainees can participate in the latter's tournaments and get exposure and career options.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas asked Gaude to consider tie ups with foreign clubs and training institutions while Velim MLA Cruz Silva suggested setting up an academy in Velim where the sports ground was recently upgraded but was under-utilised.
Vijai Sardesai made a case for a hike in salaries for the coaches and also prompt payment of their arrears which had not been paid in the period that coaching was suspended during the pandemic.
Gaude said all the suggestions will be seriously considered and implemented if possible.
On the question of the pandemic time arrears being not paid to the coaches, he said 11 months backlog had already been paid while the balance seven months' payment is left to be made. The file has been moved and it will be done soon, he added.
