The St John Baptist Ground Benaulim, the hotspot for inter-village football, has seen no action since the outbreak of the pandemic.
MARGAO
Come the first Sunday of June every year, the marathon of the inter-village football tournaments used to start at the historic St John Baptist Ground, Benaulim, also known as the Dando Ground, with teams from all over the State in action.
Since the pandemic outbreak, many people are facing serious mental health challenges. Along with the physical health impacts of the Covid-19, the virus has pushed people into self and social isolation, disconnection from family and friends, quarantine, and lockdowns on movement, thus leading to an unprecedented situation.
Referees, players, coaches, officials, administrators, fans are missing the action on the field and are not able to utilise their talents fully as they sit out at home. This has propelled a sense of frustration and helplessness.
The chain of the tournaments began more than 15 years and it only increased the popularity of the game and made Benaulim the kings in organising the most loved games of the Goans. From last year and perhaps this season also, there will be no football activity at the ground and the reason is the unending Covid-19 pandemic, which has engulfed the entire globe causing grief and sadness.
Young Strikers Club, Benaulim and Cana Benaulim Sporting Association are the two prominent clubs which organised the tournament combined 8 massive 35th edition with Cana Benaulim Sporting Association conducting the village tournament for 45 years and Young Strikers with the famous Fraziers for 35 years.
Jaju Fernandes, the long-serving chairman of Young Strikers and also the GFA executive member, stated, “We believe in Goa that this pandemic will end and football fraternity has lost pillars of football many previous lives. Football will begin not only at Dando ground but all over Goa. It will a memorable day and we will come even at Dando Ground, Benaulim but we have to wait for the right time.”
Franky Fernandes, the head of the Referees Department at GFA and former FIFA assistant referee who has officiated more than 500 matches at the Dando ground, said, “It is impossible to conduct football in the present scenario. Dando Ground is exceptional. We want action back there. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the pandemic to end and football to start. God will answer our prayers and improve the situation.”
There are other enthusiasts, fans and locals, who are anxiously waiting that the Covid pandemic will be over for the better days ahead with the commencement of the most loved game of football. Menino Dias, a long-time organiser said, “Our Dando ground is the most favourite spot during the monsoon for football lovers. People from Salcete and far from North used to witness the matches. I hope the sport returns to Benaulim.”
The enthusiasm is positive but the present situation being very grim, football buffs will probably have to keep their fingers crossed and wait longer.
