MARGAO
Dempo coach and former India defender Samir Naik won the accolade of being the best coach at the Goa Football Association Awards Night.
"Football in Goa is of very good quality; the players are very hardworking and determined. Football is one of the best in the region, and the most I like about football in Goa is that they give more importance to the grassroots level, which I believe is a very good move,” said Naik. "Huge thanks go to Goa Football Association and everyone who has supported and helped me relentlessly to achieve this award."
Commenting on the new committee, he said that Goa Football Association had appreciation also. He also said for the first time they recognized the services of the coaches. "They are working hard to achieve dizzy heights," added Naik.
After joining Dempo from FC Siolim in 1999, Naik won five National Football League (NFL)/I-League titles and was part of the squad that made it to the semifinals of the AFC Cup in 2008. In his international career (2002-2012), he debuted under Stephen Constantine, also featuring in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup squad. As a player, he represented the country from 2002 to 2012.
Meanwhile, congratulations poured in from all quarters for Naik after he was named the winner of the GFA Best Coach Award. Odisha FC coach and former Dempo midfielder Clifford Miranda was the first to congratulate Naik. “I am happy he won it. Naik is one of the most deserving coaches to have won the award. He fully deserves it. Congratulations to Samir Naik," added Miranda.
"The GFA Best Coach Award is a great honour for someone like him. The award will help coaches to work harder. He is a great coach and very sound. What is great about him is that he enhanced and under his guidance, the team did really well," said Savio Vaz, coach of Panjim Footballers.
