For the boys practicing on the fields of Socolwado, Assagao,the journey has just begun towards a possible career in football. From 2000,when the club was in its initial days to 2005 when it registered with the GoanFootball Association the group has beenbuilding up towards creating footballers with technique and physical fitness.
In this, the management has been assisted by Braziliancoaches Roberto Mendes and Valentine Ezeugo. Young boys from Anjuna, Mapusa,Calangute and the surrounding areas are brought together for training sessions.Training sessions are held in the afternoon on three days of the week for thetwo groups. The registration with the GFA has meant that the club has been ableto participate in age group tournaments. Slow and steady progress is being madeand the management now intends to set up a under-16 and 18 team possibly laterthis year.
All this howeverseems like a dress rehearsal as they plan to set up a professional footballacademy that will house young players. They will receive training and will alsobe part of a school education so that they do not miss out. Till date they havenot managed to develop any player who has caught the eye of the clubs but it isexpected that in the years to come players from the club will grace the topteams in Indian football.
As always the matter of finance is not far from the mind ofthe management. Dependent on a few individuals who donate a consistent sponsoris missing which occasionally can be a dampener. Every year they spendapproximately Rs.70-80,000 to sustain the two teams. This includes kits,transport and snacks for the players. Proposals are routinely send to corporateand individuals for assistance. There is however light at the end of the tunnelwith an Irish club expressing interest in tying up with the club. The twoparties had first met at a one day football tournament in Candolim. It is hopedthat this relationship will bring about positive results for the club andresult in young talented footballers playing in Europe and raising the name ofthe country in the process.
It is proposed that work on the football academy willcommence sometime next year when the requisite funds are in place.
