PANAJI
Goa Football Association president Dr Caitano Fernandes has been elected unopposed as Vice President of the Goa Olympic Association.
Fernandes has been serving as GFA president, with the association organising more than 1,300 matches annually across various levels of the game. The GFA was named the All India Football Federation’s Best Member Association in 2024.
During his tenure, Goa hosted the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship, marking the first time the state staged an international women’s football championship. The GFA also hosted the second edition of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy and the India-Singapore AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
The GFA’s revenues have increased by more than 300 per cent over the past eight years. Competition expenditure during the 2025-26 season stood at Rs 1.47 crore, while the average annual spending on competition leagues during the 2022-26 term was Rs 1.49 crore, compared to Rs 54.32 lakh during 2018-22.
“It is a privilege to serve the sporting community of Goa in this new capacity. The Goa Olympic Association plays a vital role in supporting and promoting sport across the State and I look forward to contributing to that mission,” Fernandes said.
“I will continue to work towards creating the right environment for our athletes and sporting bodies to thrive,” he added.
