CAM Group will be new title sponsor for Goa Professional League

Ravish Narvekar

GPL is likely to start from mid-November.

The newly elected Executive Committee of the Goa Football Association officially met for the first time on Friday evening at GFA headquarters. The committee has taken the major decision on the upcoming Goa Professional League 2022-23. Goa's elite Football League is most likely to start from mid-November. Babli Mandrekar, former Executive member of Bardez zone and Anthon Pango, Vice President South Goa will be the chairman of the North Goa & South Goa GPL organising committee.

“We have already roped in the title sponsor for the upcoming Goa Pro League. The league is most likely to start between 15th-20th November.” Jonathan De Souza, GFA Vice-President, North Goa informed.

It was confirmed in the meeting that CAM Group, owned by newly elected President Dr. Caitano Fernandes himself, will be the title sponsor for the Goa Pro League 22-23. It is also understood that Goa's top-tier league's prize money has increased. The winners of the league will be richer by five lakhs, whereas the runner-up will take away three lakhs. They have also decided to give the man of the match for every GPL match. “GPL prize money has been increased to 5lakhs to winners and 3lakhs to runners-up. Also, there will be the man of the match for every match.” He added.

The league was supposed to be held from 17th September but the pending arbitration matter of last season's relegated side Youth Club of Manora forced the previous committee to postpone the same. However, the GFA VP said “We have appointed Adv. Francisco Tavora as a Chairman of the Arbitration Tribunal along with Adv. Anthony D'Silva and Adv. Pritesh Shetty. The arbitration of YC Manora will be heard next week."

The league will also have a broadcaster but the Ex-Co is yet to confirm the same. “We are yet to sign the broadcaster but it will be done in the next week,” Jonathan informed

The committee has also put the seal on the appointment of Lector Mascarenhas as a General Secretary of GFA. Mascarenhas will take charge of the office from 4th December and until then, former Executive member (Mormugao Zone) Aldler D'Cruz will assist the office. Another Executive Member from Salcete zone, Schubert Furtado has been appointed as a treasurer of the association and will take charge from immediate effect.