the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat shared the platform of the We For Fatorda’s Big Fat Carnival festival at Fatorda to felicitate the FC Goa football team on Monday.
The Goa Forward chief took the platform to promise the hundreds of revelers in the presence of the Opposition Leader that a government that will patronize and take football forward will be formed in the state after two years.
The FC Goa team was felicitated by Sardesai’s We For Fatorda after the team became the first Indian club to qualify for the AFC Champions League. Margao Municipal Chairperson Pooja Naik, besides Vijai Sardesai and Digambar Kamat did the honours of felicitating the team members.
“When football is Goa’s state sport, the game should run in the blood of every Goan. Some of the politicians only extended wishes when FC Goa qualified for the AFC champions league. But it is our duty to honour the team. This is the minimum that we can do for the team and the players,” he said, in a taunt to the government.
Turning his ire at Deputy Chief Minister, Sardesai said that We For Fatorda did not invite Ajgaonkar, who also holds the Sports portfolio for the felicitation program, saying he has contributed nothing to take football forward. “At the most, Ajgaonkar must have pressurized the FC Goa management for additional passes,” he ridiculed.
While asking the people to exercise patience for another two years, the Goa Forward Chief said a government centered on Goemkarponn, which will patronize football to take the sport forward, will be formed after two years. “Our blessings and good wishes are with Akshay Tandon and the players. Let us all support FC Goa to reach greater heights,” he added.
In his address, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat said FC Goa has made Goans proud by qualifying for the AFC Champions League. He wished Akshay Tandon and his boys all the success.
Co-owner of FC Goa, Akshay Tandon said that Fatorda has been a home for FC Goa, while thanking Sardesai and Kamat and all the fans for their support. “When we took over the club almost four years ago, we had no idea how to go about. Vijai Sardesai supported us from day one,” he said, while acknowledging the support for the team from the people of Goa.
After the felicitation, the team members visited the adjoining St Francis Xavier Chapel, where Fr Victor Ferrao invoked blessings of the Almighty for the success of the team and the players.
