MARGAO
Goa champions Ponda Footballers are set to represent the state at the National Futsal Championship to be held in Gujarat from June 17 to 28.
Ponda Footballers have been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside Build Up Sports (Madhya Pradesh), Guwahati City FC (Assam) and last year's runners-up Corbett FC (Uttarakhand).
The Goan side will kick off the championship with the tournament's opening match against Build Up Sports on June 17 at 12 noon. They will next face Guwahati City FC on June 19 before taking on Corbett FC in their final group-stage fixture on June 21.
The top two teams from the group will advance to the pre-quarterfinals.
In preparation for the national championship, Ponda Footballers have been training at the Chowgule Futsal Ground in Borda under the guidance of coaches Franky Mendonsa and Johnny Vaz.
The team was recently felicitated by Goa Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Mithil Dhavalikar in Ponda. The dignitaries congratulated the players for their achievement in winning the Goa Futsal Championship and wished them success at the national level.
With a tough group ahead, Ponda Footballers will be aiming to make a strong impression and carry Goa's hopes in the prestigious national competition.
