VASCO
Dempo SC coach Samir Naik has said lack of a proper representation by State's football clubs in the country's top-flight has proved detrimental to player development with the sport seeing an overall slide in Goa.
The former India footballer was speaking as a chief guest at Football for Unity, a unique auction-based football tournament, organised by ZP member Anton Vas at Cortalim.
"Earlier, there were many football clubs in the top-flight and each club had around 25 players and at any given time, we would have around 150 professional footballers in the State but now we have only one team, FC Goa, which has around 15 players. This has now reduced the footballers in Goa and the talent has gone back,” Naik said.
“Tournaments like Football for Unity are the need of the hour and there should be more such tournaments across Goa," said Naik.
While the matches of the tournament had been played for the last few days, the finals were held on Sunday on the occasion of the feast in the village. A big crowd watched the final held at Cortalim Church ground.
Cortalim parish priest Fr Savio Diniz said there was a need to develop grounds and provide infrastructure to promote the sports talent in Goa.
"The tournament organised by ZP Anton Vas has actually united the people through football. We have a lot of talent in Goa but most of the youth watch ISL or the European leagues while they don't get a chance to play themselves. Such tournaments give a chance to the youth to engage in sports and improve their talent,” Fr Diniz said.
“We need to improve grounds and infrastructure to help the youth showcase their talent. In fact, I plan to convert this ground into a futsal ground so that the children can play here any time. We need to support the youth and I have asked Anton Vas to hold a floodlit tournament next year." Fr Diniz added.
Cortalim ZP Vas said that he would work to promote sports in the Cortalim constituency
"This is the first of its kind tournament in the State and we have got a great response from the people. We have seen that there are many talented sportspersons in Goa but they are left behind as there is no proper infrastructure and such tournaments at the local level are needed to revive football in Goa," said Vas.
