MARGAO
The Goa Football Association president Caitano Fernandes has clarified about certain reports emerging in a section of the media regarding the First Division League format.
“When I took over as GFA President, I realised a lot of anomalies in the way the Competitions were structured. There were no proper records available at the GFA. Even this season’s Bardez Zone Second Division League has been delayed due to no proper records and documentation maintained from the previous season, due to which the matter is pending before the Arbitration Tribunal,” said the president, who took over reins from Churchill Alemao on November 1, 2022.
“We deliberated a lot at two Executive Committee meetings regarding the format of the First Division League. With a large number of teams in the First Division, it was impossible to have a single-leg system, which would take the total number of matches to 253 matches. Even with two groups of 12 and 11 teams each, the total number of matches would have increased to 121, 30 more than the original format. While I would have loved to increase the number of matches, there is simply no sufficient time and grounds available to finish the season on time, considering we lost five months due to the delayed elections,” said Caitano.
Caitano maintained that the new committee has not decreased the number of matches in the First Division League but maintained it at the same number. “The earlier First Division League was played with 92 matches in total. We have maintained it at the same number this season. The top 2 teams from each group will play in a league format where the winner will qualify for the Goa Professional League. The team that qualifies will play 11-12 matches, which is just one match less than the usual season. I don’t understand why certain people are upset,” he added.
The GFA has had to deal with a deluge of competitions after the season started late due to the delay in conducting elections. The Third Division was organised after a gap of two years and completed in total. The Second Division has almost finished in three zones with only the Bardez Zone left due to a legal matter. The Sub Junior and Junior First Division League have been completed. The Junior and Sub Junior Second Division League has also started. On the Women’s front, the Vedanta Women’s League and the U-17 League have been completed, while the GFA also organised a U-14 Girls League for the first time this season.
“This season we started two new leagues. The CAM U-14 Girls League and the Reliance Foundation Development League. In spite of the paucity of time, we are well on schedule to complete all leagues before the season ends. I understand that certain clubs have had to bear the brunt of fixture congestion but this was all because we had just 210 days to complete 11 leagues. Next season, we will have a calendar where all the leagues will commence and end on time," signed off the president.
