the goan I network
PANAJI
For a man who toils by his family-run club, Churchill Brothers FC -- the lone State representative at the I-League -- Churchill Alemao swears by football first over politics. After “selflessly backing” various men from his brother, Joaquim Alemao, to Shivanand Salgaocar to Shrinivas Dempo to Elvis Goes for the helm of the GFA post in the last few decades of his clout in the game, the sitting Benaulim MLA found that the time was right to contest for the top post for the forthcoming Goa Football Association (GFA) elections.
“GFA is not in its right place. It was a clarion call from clubs across the State that I contest (the elections),” said Churchill, the GFA presidential candidate, at a press briefing here on Saturday. Speaking further, he said that 95 per cent of votes at the forthcoming elections will be polled against his name (of 160). He explained that other places like Bardez and Ilhas, the committees which he has formed, the leadership is being taken care of by Lavinio Rebello, who is the incumbent Vice President (North) for the last two terms.
Stressing on “simple morals” and avoiding any controversy as unnecessarily created by his rival to the top post, Avertano Furtado who in a press conference on Friday indicated that Alemao was seen distributing envelopes, dismissed off the allegation as a ruse to malign his prospects. Surrounded by his Executive Committee Member (Salcete Zone) candidates “ Anthony Leo Fernandes, Jaju Fernandes, Cosme Oliveiro, Dionisio Dias, Santa Rita Coelho and John Silva, he questioned how can his rival to the President’s post claim that certain members with his panel as his supporters when they are present with him.
Alemao also asked why Furtado, when he served as a Navelim MLA for five years, did not do anything with regard to the SAG grounds for the village footballers with his brother (Schubert), being a Sarpanch. “And he (Avertano) now makes tall claims that if elected as GFA President, he will ensure that footballers will not be deprived of SAG ground facilities? It is an Alberto Colaco panel that he has,” the Varca
strongman said.
With smaller clubs having to shell out Rs 5,000 as a yearly fee, he said that it is a huge strain to these clubs and promised that under his helm no such charges will be levied. “If at all it (charging clubs) is necessary, I will spend for them from my own pocket,” Churchill assured.
Unperturbed that if elected, he may have to vacate his seat within months on turning 70, he said he is not worried about that prospect. “For now, the National Sports Code suggestion has not been implemented and the Parliament has not passed it yet. It is not in effect in any State yet,”
he said.
While refusing to announce the larger plans he has drawn as a GFA President-elect, Alemao keeping his cards close to his chest, only promised that he will “put the GFA in order”.
