PANAJI
Chairman of Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) Glenn Ticlo said that he will strive to ensure football is taken to greater heights.
He was speaking during the distribution of football kits and felicitation of Bibiano Fernandes (India Coach U-19 and U-17) organised by GFDC Siolim at the Church Ground, Siolim, on Saturday.
Present were Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, GFDC Member Secretary Fransquinha Oliveira, Sarpanch Amit Morajkar, GFA member Jhonny Pereira and Babli Mandrekar.
Ticlo said that the need of the hour is to uplift the sport which is sliding downwards.
“Football is the lifeline of Goa and therefore GFDC was created by late Manohar Parrikar, Former Defence Minister of India and Former Chief Minister of Goa.
During our days, we didn’t have facilities and grounds. But now despite having this, football as a sport is on the decline. It is the need of the hour to bring it up again. Let us work together. I will ensure there is nothing lacking for the coaches and ground staff,” he said.
He also praised Bibiano for his achievements.
“He (Bibiano) has brought honours to the state of Goa and the country. We are proud of him for the wonderful job and his talent,” said Ticlo.
“I thank Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar for giving me this responsibility of GFDC Chairmanship. I will ensure all 36 centres are attended to.”
He further emphasized that the appointment of Technical Director is of paramount importance and will be appointed at the earliest, also the opening of North and South Goa Academy to nurture trainees in a structured and residential program is envisioned which will be taken up on priority with utmost seriousness.
“Even for nutrition, we can rope in self-help groups to provide the food items,” said Ticlo.
“Children need to be committed, disciplined, punctual, sincere and dedicated. Apart from academics, the importance of sports needs to be told to the kids. It helps in the overall development of the child. One can even rise up to represent the state and country as well,” he added.
He went on to state that with the support of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, DSYA Director Ajay Gaude and GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes, we will work together for betterment and upliftment of Goan football.
Bibiano urged the children to practice every day despite their school duties.
“When I was young, I would play in the fields. During our days there were no practices, we would play whenever someone was playing. Now we see that you’ll have daily practices and even U-8 children are enrolled at this centre. Practice every day and the coaches will guide you if you decide to become players. Even if you have tuition, homework and classes, you can finish everything quickly and still make time to come for practices,” Bibiano said.
The Siolim centre is managed by Center Head Gregory Dsouza, Coaches Zeena Soares and Sherwin Lobo and Groundsperson Anthony Dias.
