Goa set to be football hub

Goa will soon become the nursery of India football, if declarations made on the first day of the Goa Football Development Council’s (GFDC) Goa International Football table are anything to go by.

“Besides academies for children in the age group of six to 12, five new stadiums will be built under this mission which is likely to come alive next year,” said Rufino Monteiro, chairman of GFDC, at an event on Friday.

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar also assured the government’s support. “I was a footballer during my school days. I will assure that the mission comes true,” Parrikar said.

“The game is declining in India and it is time we come together and give a lift to the beautiful game,” said Dr Robin Petersen, CEO, South Africa Football Association.

Petersen stressed that India lacked base for the game and should go for a “catch them young policy”.

“In the next four years, we will have a couple of budding talented players who could turn out to be champions of the game,” said Petersen.

Spotting young talent and catering to their football qualities is on top of the agenda. “It would be these kids who will be taking football to new heights and we assure them all the support,” said Elivs Gomes, member secretary of GFDC.

Scott O’Donell, technical director of the All India Football Federation, also backed this initiative. “This will make a huge difference. With the number of kids playing the game these days, I don’t think it’s a big task for anyone,” he said.

@joepune