JOEL ANDRADE
PANAJI
In the corridors of power of football administration in the country, Churchill Alemao is synonymous with football. “When I go to Delhi to meet the football bosses, they say ‘football aa gaya (football has arrived)’. They are very fond of me,” quips Churchill in his customary declamatory style.
Indeed ‘football’ has arrived in Goa, and how. The former chief minister and sitting Benaulim MLA was on Sunday elected president of the Goa Football Association (GFA) in an election that saw 160 clubs cast their vote at a city hotel in Panaji.
Assuring the clubs of playing a proactive role in the GFA, Churchill said his immediate agenda is to create a blueprint for the next four years.
“I will call a meeting of all the clubs very soon and create a blueprint for the next four years. My first move will be to make grounds available to the local players and strengthen the financial position of the association and the clubs. I will put in extra efforts (to develop the game) in the rural areas. We at GFA will now look at getting maximum support from the government to promote the game.”
“It greatly concerns me that at the grassroots level, many football clubs have stopped functioning due to their weak financial position and many other reasons. I will help them start functioning again afresh.
I also want the Goa Football Development Council to play a proactive role in promoting football in the State,” Churchill added.
After having changed the quality of football in the country by bringing in the likes of Odafa Okolie four
decades ago, Churchill has now assured Goan footballers of quality training in order to bring them at least
on par with players like Odafa if not
better.
“My track record speaks for itself. I was the first one to have a team that comprised of the best international stars alongside our Goan stalwarts. There was a time when Nicholas, who was amongst the best defenders in the country decades ago, was paid Rs 2500. At that time, I got him to play for Churchill Brothers at a package of Rs 9000.
Today, Goan players are getting paid over Rs 60 lakhs. In my tenure as GFA president, you will see many Goan footballers playing at a very high standard. I will provide them the facilities they require,” Churchill, who runs the
only family football club in the country, said.
Churchill also assured of bringing in sponsors for the Goa Professional League (GPL).
“I will work towards getting the government as well as private players to support football in our State. I’m confident of bringing in sponsors for the GPL before next year.”
Churchill also asserted that he would complete his full four-year term despite the shadow of National Sports Code looming large over his future.
“I am confident of completing my full term. This Sports Code is just a suggestion made by Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Recently, even GOA had its elections without the Sports Code. GFA had implemented the Sports Code in their
attempt to keep me out of contention.”
Before signing off, Churchill appealed to all the clubs for their support in promoting football in the
country.
“I would like to request everyone’s cooperation in promoting football in our beautiful State. Football is our official sport and under my regime, I want to see it flourish,” a beaming Churchill said.
CHURCHILL’S IMMEDIATE AGENDA
“I will call a meeting of all the clubs very soon and create a blueprint for the next four years. My first move will be to make grounds available to the local players and strengthen the financial position of the association and the clubs. I will put in extra efforts (to develop the game) in the rural areas.
We at GFA will now look at getting maximum support from the government to promote the
game.”
GRASSROOTS’ LEVEL TO HAVE NEW LEASE OF LIFE
“It greatly concerns me that at the grassroots level, many football clubs have stopped functioning due to their weak financial position and many other reasons. I will help them start functioning again afresh. I also want the Goa Football Development Council to play a proactive role in promoting football in the State.”
CHURCHILL’S APPEAL FOR
COOPERATION
“I would like to request everyone’s cooperation in promoting football in our beautiful State. Football is our official sport and under my regime, I want to see it flourish.”
PREMIER STATE COMPETITION TO GET SHOT IN THE ARM
“I will work towards getting the government as well as private players to support football in our State. I’m confident of bringing in sponsors for the GPL before next year.”
