The recent article by Armstrong Vaz has highlighted the decline of football in Goa and the steady rise of cricket. It has also raised important questions about grassroots development and the challenges faced by coaches and young players.
The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) was set up by the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar with a clear vision to strengthen football at the grassroots level. A chairman, council members and a technical director were appointed, and a residential academy was established. The academy showed promise when boys associated with it qualified for the Subroto tournament in Delhi. However, after Parrikar’s untimely demise and the outbreak of COVID-19, the residential programme was discontinued, and the post of Technical Director remains vacant.
Today, under Chairman Glen Ticlo, there is renewed hope that GFDC can progress further. It is important to understand that GFDC is a grassroots initiative for children between six and twelve years of age. Its main aim is to introduce young boys and girls to football and build basic skills, not to produce international stars overnight.
One major challenge is academic pressure. Many parents withdraw their children from sports after Class 5 so they can focus on studies. The introduction of board examinations at lower levels has increased anxiety among parents and students, resulting in fewer children continuing in competitive sport. By the age of 14, promising players are usually recruited by registered GFA clubs or ISL teams, but only a small number pursue football seriously.
While GFDC may not have produced international stars, it has given many children the opportunity to learn the game and represent their schools with pride. School teams with GFDC-trained players have achieved encouraging results. The contribution of grassroots coaches deserves recognition.
It is time for a comprehensive sports policy that provides job security and a clear career path for talented athletes. The government, sports bodies and educationists must work together to create an environment where sports and education can progress side by side. Football remains close to the heart of every Goan, and with the right support, it can regain its strength.
