Panaji: The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) and Goa Football Association (GFA) are set to host a two-day Football Summit on October 9 and 10 at BPS Club, Margao, aimed at addressing the decline of football in the state. The summit will kick off at 9:00 am, featuring inaugurations by Sports Minister Govind Gaude, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Secretary of Sports Swetika Sachan, IAS, and GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes.
Prominent figures from the Indian football community, including renowned players, will serve as key panelists during the summit. Day one will feature panel discussions covering crucial topics such as coaching, the pre-and post-license period, and the evolving landscape of professional clubs, highlighting the challenges, threats, and expectations faced by the sport.
Special discussions will delve into the transition to amateur clubs, addressing the changes in the football landscape and the associated problems and threats. Additionally, the significance of inter-village football tournaments in maintaining grassroots passion for the sport will be explored. Infrastructure development and optimal utilization for football will also be key discussion points, along with marketing, sponsorship, and fan engagement strategies.
On the second day, participants will present their findings and proposed solutions to the GFDC and GFA. Goan football has faced challenges in recent years, with the last Santosh Trophy victory occurring in 2009 and a notable decline in representation in top Indian football leagues. The GFDC and GFA are committed to identifying issues and proposing solutions to rejuvenate the sport, culminating in a closing ceremony featuring the Chief Minister of Goa.
