Goans to samba in Brazil !!

After years , one of the most beautifully played games in the world is being hosted by one of the most beautiful countries in the world .Yes! Brazil is hosting the Football World Cup. For once , the revelry of samba off- field will be complimented by the one on- field. The crescendo will be magical. It will be a riot of emotions! Fun .Flavour .And, football. Could there be anything better?

“Caution “ state a few. With Brazillian President Dilma Rouseff  saying  that protests will be allowed but no violence, many from Goa almost with their legs on the flight to Brazil are not taking the game by the book. Reservations have cropped up here and there. But the game is such , that there are few able to swallow   ramifications that can cloud the organisation  of the World Cup.

“It is a bit scary because Brazil has faced quite a bit of protests. Poverty still grips the country. With poverty , there are robberies .There are many who may take advantage . This makes us be extra cautious” says Dr Rufino Monteiro , the chairman of the Goa Football Development Council(GFDC).

“The protesters want the attention of the government to the issues raised by them . They know that the timing is such that they will be heard. At the same time, that can send negative signals across the world .But in the end ,Brazil will overcome these internal issues before the World Cup begins and not let themselves down”, pin points Elvis Gomes , senior vice-president of the Goa Football Association (GFA) ,member secretary of GFDC and Director of Urban Development. As such , he knows not only the game but the politics involved in it.

“Football is going to the place where it is most beautifully played. The spirits of the people have to be fulfilled by the government. Jawaharlal Nehru once said that there has to be a synergy between the spirit of the people and the government. The Football World Cup naturally draws attention. It is bound to attract distractions. But these will in no way disturb the games. This is football .Football in Brazil.” admits one time India’s great goalkeeper, Brahmanad Shankwalkar.

There are others who take another view of it all. A  minimalistic one. “Brazil is a huge country. Is there trouble in Goa when there is violence in Kashmir? No. So, why would there be trouble for the World  Cup? There is nothing to fear about. It will have no bearings on the game”,claims Savio Messias.