MARGAO
Custodio Fernandes, president of St Anthony's SC, Assolda, shares a deep bond with village clubs. Fernandes is contesting for a Salcete zone executive committee member's post in the forthcoming elections of the Goa Football Association (GFA).
"I am not new to GFA. I have worked with the GFA as a co-opted member before and have the experience, knowledge and have plans for Indian football. I can do it. With so much negativity around, we need reforms," Fernandes told 'The Goan'.
The former GFA referee said that he is very hopeful of winning the elections and said the need of the hour is to reform Goan football. "(I am) very hopeful, it's a very big opportunity for me. We need to reform Goan football. We need to change everything. I want to use this opportunity for the development of football and to serve Goan football," said Fernandes.
The Sarpanch of Assolda said he joined the Dr Caitano Fernandes' panel, who is contesting GFA presidential election. Their vision plan includes five major areas where he proposes to ring in a slew of changes and reforms in his four-year tenure, if elected. A major area of his focus will be on infrastructure development at the Duler Stadium, where he proposes to relay the artificial turf at an estimated cost of Rs 1.8 crore. The turf at the ground was installed by FIFA back in 2012 under the tenure of then GFA president Shrinivas Dempo. Caitano has also assured that he will build a roof over the north stand and pursue with the government to develop land of approximately 5500 sqm at the south side.
Caitano has also promised de-centralisation of player registrations so that clubs can register players at zonal offices at Duler, Vasco, Margao and Panaji rather than travelling all the way to Panaji to make player license cards. He also assured of digitising player records and interlinking of zonal offices digitally.
Referees and coaches have long been neglected and Caitano promised that all coaches and team officials registered with clubs in various leagues and referees registered with the GFA shall be covered under an insurance policy. "This is my moment to give back to my sport. It needs reforms," Fernandes concluded.
