Blurb - With the ground being unavailable to youth in the South, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had shot an email to GFA president Elvis Gomes stating that many parents had conveyed to him that their wards who wished to take part in the selection process for the U-17 national team were inconvenienced for travelling all the way to north to Duler stadium in Mapusa despite the fact that there being a ground in Fatorda itself.
Augusto Rodrigues
PANAJI
The AIFF general secretary Kushal Das flew down to Goa to put an end to an unnecessary standoff that had been brewing between the GFA, AIFF and the SAG pertaining to who had the right to utilise the FIFA's artifical turf at Fatorda.
Das met SAG executive director, Sandip Jacques and GFA president ElvisGomes in a star hotel to thrash out the issue of non-availability to the local youth, the artificial turf built by FIFA outside the Fatorda stadium. The meeting is known to have met its logical conclusion with AIFF, which is presently using the turf stadium, will stop doing so from August.
With the ground unavailable to youth in the South, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai came in support of youth footballers. In a letter mailed to Elvis Gomes, Sardesai had said that many parents had conveyed to him that their wards who wished to take part in the selection process for the U-17 national team were inconvenienced for travelling all the way to north to Duler stadium in Mapusa despite the fact that there being a ground in Fatorda itself. The selection trials were held on July 15.
Sardesai had written to Elvis Gomes to look into the matter and to ensure that no injustice was meted out to the players of South Goa who have to travel long distances to partake in the selection.
GFA had been complaining that they were compelled to hold trails in Mapusa due to the non-availability of a ground in South Goa.
“The GFA approached us (AIFF) stating that they needed to use the artificial turf to be utilised for preparations of the U-17 World Cup team at Fatorda on July 1,2 and 3. Since the ground was required by AIFF at the specified time, we asked GFA to use the ground from 11 am to 3pm. But, the GFA replied saying the time was not suitable,” a senior AIFF member told The Goan.
“The GFA refused to use the ground on Saturday and Sunday," the AIFF member added.
Meanwhile, Kushal Das was forthright when he said he suspected there was an ego issue between GFA and SAG. "We are not involved. I am in Goa today to sort this out. The Fatorda ground will be available from August.Please do not get the AIFF involved," asserted Das.
"I am not aware if AIFF suggested we use the ground on Saturday and Sunday. I am pretty sure, we were never made aware of this offer. The matter will be deliberated in our AGM and we shall approach the government,” stated Elvis Gomes.
“The matter is between the AIFF and GFA, just like matters are with parents and siblings. The MOUs signed between us and AIFF are clear. I am following what has been signed by my predecessor. Also, why this fuss about artificial turf? There are so many grounds in South Goa,” chipped in SAG ED Sandip Jacques.
“Goa cannot surrender to the whims and fancies of AIFF. I am bothered about ground facilities for people of Fatorda. I am going to build a ground for youth of Fatorda and if need be, will take part in an agitation to throw out the artificial turf,” threatened MLA Sardesai.
