Interview: Arnaldo Costa, Curtorim Gymkhana president
PANAJI:
Curtorim Gymkhana, one of Goa's oldest and illustrious village clubs, that has gone on to produce some of the most imperious footballers at the national and international level is all set to make its debut at the Goa Professional League this season. Their long wait to be among the top guns of Goan football is finally over and the club that has been in existence for 51 years now will in a month's time be rubbing shoulders with Goan bigwigs Dempo, Salgaocar, Churchill Bros and the Vasco in the state's top-flight league. Yes, Curtorim Gym will have another new entrant in Guardian Angel to keep company, but for this club from Salcete, a leap into Pro League means a lot and they certainly deserve to be in. In a tete-a-tete with Sudhakar Shanbhag, Curtorim Gymkhana's president Arnaldo Costa, who is also the GFA's executive member, spelt out his club's plans as they approach the Goa Professional League with new-found vigour and enthusiasm. Excerpts of the interview:
Obivously, it is an unbelievable feeling to have qualified for the Professional League. It was a long wait for everybody and the committee members of the club, villagers and well wishers are all excited about the club's elevation into professional circuit.
We are almost finalising on the players. Yes, the team that was part of our recent success in first division league and the one that has produced wonders for the club at inter-village remains our core.We will try to keep the flock together. In fact, Curtorim Gymkhana has been in fine form at the village tournaments this season. Having won four finals this season is a big boost. That apart, we are set to play our fifth final this season at the 44th Custodio Memorial football tournament at Raia on August 6 and are in sight of adding one more title to our kitty. So the preparations are on track.
e past we did come close to earning a qualification into the top tier of the GFA league. But somehow, elements weren't working in our favour. But that's history. What is important is the present and we are quite happy to be the new entrants now. Credit goes to everybody. The entire village is in fact behind the team. GFA has as always been extending its moral support. Besides this
Curtorim Gym boasts of a galaxy of former international stars - all of whom cannot be contained in a line - have always been the guiding light to our budding players who have been graduating from youth to senior level from time to time and adding to the buffer strength of the club. Therefore, to pinpoint one personality would be doing injustice to others. As far as the previous season is concerned Curtorim Gymkhana will always be indebted to coach Savio Vaz who worked relentlessly to lift the fortunes of this club.
yes. We do have a strong base of youth development programme. The U-14s, U-16s are our foundation. That's how the player pool maintains its continuity and keeps adding up to the team's bench strength at various levels. The fact that we are rightly deemed to be a nursery of young and budding football talent at various age group levels in Salcete, makes Curtorim Gym one of the powerhouses from Salcete. And, we would love to keep it that way for years to come. Football runs through our blood.
In a sense
There's pressure to perform at various levels. But I am sure the boys will relish it as a new challenge and raise their standards of playing football in professional league. It will be a different experience, but I am sure this will all be part of their learning curve. What's important is one has to enjoy and gain experience by playing reputed teams. I am sure we will take it up as a challenge and deliver when it matters. We are also happy that four of our footballers - Mario Mascarenhas, Melwyn Fernandes, McRoy Peixoto and Savio Fernandes - were part of Goa's Santosh trophy team and that makes us feel proud. So we have it in us to get it right.
