The curious case of Goan football

MARGAO
The clubs playing in the ongoing GFA Professional League came in for a rude shock after receiving a communication from the Goa Football Association (GFA), directing them to make their own arrangements for drinking water on match days.

The letter forwarded by the GFA General Secretary on December 23 states that "Due to unforeseen problems concerning the sponsorship, it is requested that the teams should provide the drinking water to the players and officials on the playing days."

The GFA Pro League 2021-22 was sponsored by Selvel and the GFA announced the deal with much fanfare amid talks of taking Goan football to a higher level with the aid of sponsorships. But within five months, the ties broke down, putting the teams in a lurch. The clubs are already facing a financial crunch due to the Covid-19 situation and the sponsorship problem will add to the woes of the teams.

Providing water to the participating teams is mandatory and even the clubs organising inter-village and inter-ward football tournaments make provisions for drinking water to be given to the players. The situation has left the ardent football followers of the State game frustrated. "It's a shame that the GFA is managed in such a pathetic manner. The football is the State's official sport but sadly the administration is run by opportunists who simply lack vision."

The once-popular national nurseries of football, the Goan clubs are racing against time to fight for survival in the cut-throat competition of the modern game due to lack of sponsors and motivation. Many star footballers of the past were a product of these clubs, the nerve centre of Goan football. Most officials admit the burgeoning costs has led to the downfall of their clubs as it’s difficult to raise a good squad on a shoestring budget.