All the leagues will be completed before 31st May’23: GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes

Ravish Narvekar

The GFA President spoke to “The-Kickoff” about his vision and recent meet with Goa’s honorable CM Dr. Pramod Sawant in an exclusive interview.

The newly elected Goa Football Association’s President Dr. Caitano Fernandes along with their executive members recently met Goa’s honorable Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. “My vision plans were presented to honorable chief minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and he had promised (before the GFA election) me that he will support me to do better for football and GFA. So, after winning the election we went to meet him and he once again agreed to support me in my vision to improve the quality of the game in the state.” GFA President Dr. Caitano told The-Kick exclusively.

It looks like the clubs have elected the right person with a clear vision of bringing back the glory days in the state. The President has started to work towards executing his plans as he has asked for more grounds to nurture football in the state in his first meeting with Goa’s Chief Minister.

“We have asked for four grounds. Tilak Maidan in Vasco, newly updated Santa Cruz Ground, Velim Ground and one more, whichever Sports Authority of Goa is willing to give. We are ready to maintain it. As a GFA, we only have one ground and that is Duler. So we want more grounds under us to nurture the game in the state.” He informed

Goa Professional League has been limited to Duler Stadium for the last few years due to a lack of ground availability in the state. The last two years witnessed Goa hosting the entire Indian Super League in the bubble zone due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Sports Authority of Goa had given the best pitches to all the ISL clubs restricting GFA to host Goa’s top-tier league only at Duler Football Stadium. However, this year we can see the state’s top league played atleast at two different venues.

“In the coming week, we will be officially writing it to the Government for the grounds and if they (Govt. of Goa) agreed to grant us the authority of these grounds then it will be also used to host GPL matches.” Dr. Caitano said.

The former GFA President Churchill Alemao was successful in getting a one-time grant of Rs. 50Lakhs from the Government of Goa but it looks like current GFA boss Dr. Caitano is aiming for big as he has requested Goa’s CM for annual grants. The GFA President is confident of getting the grants as he said “We have also asked for annual grants from Government. We will invest that money towards the betterment of football in the state. Our CM Dr. Pramod Sawant and Sports Minister Govind Gaude have promised us that they will consider our request.”

He further added saying “As promised we have started to distribute passes for FC Goa matches to the club. We have also increased the prize money of the Goa Professional League from 3lakhs & 2lakhs to 5lakhs & 3lakhs. The man of the match in every GPL match and for fans we have kept housie game with prize money of one thousand per match.”

The government of Goa releases annual grants to Goa Football Development Council. The council was formed by then CM late Manohar Parrikar in 2012 when football was declared as the state sport. However, both the football bodies were in a tussle for the last few years but now GFDC chairman Bramhanand Shankwalkar came forward to end the bitterness between the two sides and has promised to work together. The GFA President Dr. Caitano also is in the same mood as he said “I am a GFDC member already and we have our three executive members who are also a member of GFDC. Also our General Secretary, Lector Mascarenhas is a GFDC member. So we will discuss with GFDC chairman Bramhanand Shankwalkar about how we can work together towards one goal.”

Last season, Goa’s Football team saw a new low as they lost to Gujarat for the first time in the history of the Santosh Trophy qualifiers. Dr. Caitano was devastated by the shocking defeat and claims that this moment forced him to consider for the GFA Elections as he said “Honestly speaking, I was not interested in GFA elections but losing with Gujarat in the Santosh Trophy, that’s where I considered myself for GFA Presidential Election. Gujarat was nowhere close to Goa in terms of football in past and losing to them was really shocking. We have 159 clubs and if each club nominate their best players for Santosh Trophy selection then we can have the best options to select the best teams for the Santosh Trophy. Henceforth Santosh Trophy selection won’t be limited to GPL. The best players from the state will be considered for selection no matter if they play in GPL or not.”

Though the football calendar in the state is yet to start with almost November reaching the halfway mark, the GFA President is confident of completing all the leagues by the end of this season. “We will complete all the leagues. Though our football calendar is a bit delayed, we will organize and complete the First, Second and Third Division Leagues including Age group leagues. Our target is to complete all the leagues by 31st May 2023. As we are a little late, this season’s GPL will be played like last season. Single leg first and then Championship League for top six and Relegation League for Bottom Six. However, we will revert back to double-leg format from next season.” He stated.

All these years, GFA was lacking in the creative ideas to promote football in the state. Whereas, last season a digital media company came up with monthly awards to Goa Pro League players but the same was restricted by then GFA secretary. However, the newly elected president has praised the media’s role in promoting the game. “Media plays a big role to promote football. And I am hopeful that they continue to do it. Last season one of the media companies started monthly awards for GPL but I don’t know for what reason it was stopped by our previous committee. However, this season we will give monthly awards from our sides and we will also consider media reporters for monthly awards.”

“I have taken over and it was possible only because of all the clubs. So, first of all, I should thank them. As promised, I am giving my time to GFA to improve football in the state. Let’s talk football. Let’s get back to where we were. Let’s get back to the glory days. Let’s get back the Santosh Trophy. I am giving you the assurance that “Bhivpachi Garaj Na, Football next levelar pavtalo (No need to worry, football will reach next level for sure in the state).” The GFA President Dr. Caitano concluded.