Destination Football

The comment made by Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar that "Goa is turning out to be an important football destination" stands vindicated as this tiny State has certainly caught global attention in terms of hosting international football events. The sports minister's opinion is well timed considering that he was speaking on the eve of AFC U-16 Championships India 2016 while on an inspection visit of Nehru Stadium, Fatorda which will host India's Group A fixtures in the 16-team event. Ever since Goa hosted the Lusofonia Games back in 2014, the door to international events opened up much more than it had in Goa in the recent past. Not only did the general commerce shoot up in Goa even sports coupled with tourism in general got the necessary boost as Goan athletes who represented India as Goa (India) team got an opportunity to rub shoulders with international teams belonging to the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries. On the whole, Goa underwent a change significant enough to get the acclaim of visiting nations who praised Goa both for its hospitality and infrastructure. Not only the existing venues across Goa got a facelift, new stadiums at venues like Bambolim and Peddem (Mapusa) were built in record time for future utilization both for sporting and non sporting purposes. The year 2014 also raised the stakes of Goa with the advent of Indian Super League (ISL) and there was new hope for football fans considering that local franchise FC Goa was the new buzz and a platform was laid for local footballers to rub shoulders with foreign stars and coaches who turned up in new roles as 'Marquee players' and 'Managers', unheard of in Indian football where I-League was considered the flagship event of the All India Football Federation. In retrospect, the ISL proved to be an elixir for this football crazy State where aficionados literally breathed and lived football considering that the spice had vanished away from local derbies in the Goa Pro League and the fizz went missing in the I-League which lacked credible attention of fans. With FC Goa stealing the thunder in the inaugural ISL by reaching the semis, the craze among their fan base doubled the following season when the Gaurs rallied to reach the finals at home but lost to eventual champions Chennaiyin FC in an ill-fated clash. However, the Gaurs did leave an indelible mark in their fans' psyche with a superlative effort last season. Come October, Zico's boys begin a new campaign, forgetting the turmoil and ordeal they underwent post ISL last season. With ISL, Goa has already succeeded in retaining its brand as an international football destination considering that it will after the ongoing AFC U-16 Championships play host to U-17 BRICS Football Tournament next month and also the ensuing ISL Season 3. However, the icing on the cake would be the U-17 FIFA World Cup which comes to India in 2017 where Goa is also listed as a venue for football's pinnacle event, though in the junior category. Certainly Goa's right up there and it's showing already.