MARGAO
The Goa Professional League in the past was devoid of sponsors and broadcasters that would inadvertently delay the start of the league. However the case has been different this season. Despite there being interest by two broadcasters and a title sponsor, the league has failed to kick off on time due to a pending matter before the Arbitration Tribunal of Goa Football Association (GFA).
Youth Club of Manora had filed an appeal in July before the GFA Arbitration Tribunal seeking to revoke the decision of the GFA Executive Committee to relegate them to the First Division. However what has been appalling is the inaction of the previous regime of the GFA to get its act together and press the Arbitration Tribunal to arrive at an early decision in the matter.
Despite the appeal filed in July, the GFA Secretariat under previous general secretary Jovito Lopes and Competitions Committee Chairman Dominic Pereira slept over the matter. It was only after the interim president Anthony Pango took over office, files were sent to the Arbitration Tribunal members.
It may be pertinent to note that the GFA has been paying Bardez Executive Committee member and Competitions Committee chairman Pereira a salary of Rs 15,000 per month since the last two years. In total, Pereira has received an amount of Rs 2,17,500 while Rs 45,000 remain payable to him.
On September 30, GFA's acting secretary Adlear D'Cruz shot off a letter to all the clubs stating that the league had to be delayed due to the pending decision of the Arbitration Tribunal. He also referred to the delay in pursuing the matter by the then general secretary Lopes and the Competition Committee chairman Pereira.
However, Pereira in an email to the GFA accused the present dispensation of trying to malign his name before the association's elections. He stated that he had no role to play in the matter. The acting general secretary pointed out that he was designated as a coordinator for all legal matters including integrity matters and received a salary of Rs 15,000 for the same. D'Cuz further stated that "it was a shame that for the first time in the history of the association, that an elected member has milked the association and received a salary, especially in time of financial crisis."
