the goan I network
PANAJI
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has begun a new chapter with the Goa Football Association (GFA) as the National Football Federation had their first meeting with the State Football governing body after a span of four years on Sunday.
“We have come here to build a relationship which has to be strong enough to see not only Goa doing good, but along with the support of Goa, AIFF doing well. I hope the new committee takes up the challenge and bring back the days of glory which we are missing,” said Savio Medeira, AIFF Acting Technical Director, after his meeting with GFA President Churchill Alemao, Vice President Lavinio Rebello and Administrator Jovito Lopes at GFA Secretariat, Panjim, on Sunday.
“Goa was once a football powerhouse and has suffered a lot in the last four years. We all have to work together and we cannot do anything without the support of GFA,” added Savio, who earlier had worked with GFA in the past.
GFA President Churchill Alemao was happy to host the AIFF delegates as they discussed various projects to be undertaken in the State. “We welcome AIFF. For four years there was a gap between the two bodies which has been closed down now. There are certain programmes and projects which we have discussed and we shall start working on the same. This will be good for Goan football,” said Churchill.
The topics discussed were coaches’ education, projects on educating the coaches, introduction of baby leagues, academy accreditations, referee’s developments and clubs’ registration with the CRS and CMS.
GFA Vice President North Lavinio Rebello explained that coaches’ education shall be on their priority list and said, “All the coaches who take the bench should have a license. We will make sure that every inter-village team and Third Division team shall have trained coaching staff. Coaches’ education is must for the development of football in the state. There will be more courses for coaches and more courses for referee’s development.”
“All issues can be resolved through proposals and not complains. Positivity is the way forward. This marks the opportunity for AIFF and GFA to come together and resolve all issues. We have a new committee and all we have to do is come together and resolve all the issues and take positive steps,” said AIFF Head of Administration and Technical Department Pushpargha Chattopadhhyag.
“AIFF has said they will make baby leagues compulsory,” explained GFA Administrator Jovito Lopes, stating that they have already conducted one course and will be looking to conduct more courses. Baby leagues is a football development project for the kids between 5 to 13 years. “Another important point discussed was about futsal. Futsal will be controlled and regulated by GFA and will be either played indoors or on a wooden floor and this is as per the directive of AIFF,” added the administrator.
AIFF Development Manager Rohan Nandi and AIFF Development Officer Genevie Colaco were also present for the meeting.
