18 Goans in ISL Loop

Eighteen Goan boys have been looped in by seven of the eight teams in the Indian Super league(ISL)  for the 2015 season. Obviously, home team FC Goa steers clear with seven players in their ranks. Mumbai City FC with former Sporting Clube de Goa coach Oscar Bruzone as assistant manager have picked up five players. The rest are scattered amongst Atletico de Kolkota, Kerala Blasters, Delhi Dynamos and Chenayin FCE.

Eight midfielders, five strikers; three defenders and two goalkeepers have been picked up by the seven clubs in the ISL. North East United is the only team in the ISL not to have a Goan in the squad.

Dempo Sports Club has eleven players with a bulk of them readying themselves to don the FC Goa jerseys in this edition of the ISl. Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa who preferred to wait last year have contributed sizeably in this edition. As disclosed to The Goan, prior to the auction and draft, Mumbai City FC zeroed in on five players this year- three from Sporting Clube de Goa.

From the twenty one vying to find a place in the starting eleven, three did particularly well last year-Cavin Lobo , Romeo Fernandes and Denzil Franco. Denzil was injured in Atletico de Kolkata’s clash with FC Goa  and did not play thereafter. Romeo Fernandes sparked occasionally but it was Cavin Lobo who was long remembered for his two scintillating goals-one scored against FC Goa.

Denzil Franco has been declared fit. But, his team Atletico bid heavily for Rino Anto and won him bidding 80 lakhs. And, Rino plays in the position Denzil Franco plays-right back. Here is going to be a tussle for the starting eleven.

Denzil has been undergoing rehabilitation in Goa and kolkata . He is aware the sailing is going to be tough and is determined to weather the odds despite the pricepaid for Anto (Rs 90,00,000). “I know they had difficulties last year despite my injury and most probably they wanted to avoid a similar fate this time. It is up to me now to prove that their wait during my recuperation was worth it,’ stated Denzil to The Goan.

Joining Denzil and Anto will be Salgaocar FC’s Gabriel Fernandes. Definitely the most reliable of players selected during the draft, Gabriel proved in the I League his physical and mental prowess’s were being harnessed for a professional set up. If anything, Gabriel will be seen a lot this season for his team. He is steps ahead of the other players from Goa.

It is too early to say much about the rest of the Goan players making their debut in the ISL. A lot will depend on how they maintain their fitness levels and how they fit into their foreign coaches strategies. For once, they will not be able to say they are victims of bias.

The movement of Goan players

Strikers:

Gabriel Fernandes from Dempo SC to Mumbai City FC

Romeo Fernandes from Dempo SC to FC Goa

Joaquim Abranches from Dempo Sc to FC Goa

Victorino Fernandes  from Sporting Clube de Goa to FC Goa

Mandar Rao Dessai  from Dempo SC to FC Goa

Midfielders:

Cavin Lobo from East Bengal to Kerala Blasters

Peter Carvalho from Dempo Sc to Kerala Blasters

Anthony Barbosa from Salgaocar FC to Chenayin FC

Pratesh Shirodkar from Sporting Clube de Goa to Mumbai City FC

Lenny Rodrigues from Dempo SC to FC Pune City

Francis Fernandes from Dempo SC to Delhi Dynamos

Clifford Miranda from Dempo SC to Atletico de Kolkata

Brandon Fernandes from Sporting Clube de Goa to Mumbai City FC

DEFENDERS:

Augustin Fernandes from Salgaocar FC to Atletico de Kolkata

Rowilson Rodrigues from Dempo SC to Mumbai City FC

Nicolau Colaco from Salgaocar FC to FC Goa

GOALKEEPERS:

Laximikant Kattimani from Dempo SC to FC Goa

Albino Gomes from Salgaocar FC to  FC Goa.

Sesa Football Academy To Close Due To Lack Of Funds?

The center that harnessed football talent going to close gates?

The Sesa Football Academy (SFA)-the first football academy in Goa- finds itself in a stay open or shut case.  With mining activities having ceased, a financial crunch is forcing the it’s closure. This is its fate now.  Academy officials are now looking to the government for financial assistance. And, time is running out. Literally.

“The decision to stop is going to be painful to us. This is due to no fault of ours. Things have been tough after the Supreme Court decision to stop mining. We are trying to hold on to everyone but, there is a limit we can do,” stated A.N Joshi, Vice president Corporate affairs, Vedanta Ltd, in an exclusive chat with The Goan.

 The Sesa senior team has been withdrawn from Goa Football Association (GFA) Professional League and no more recruits have been taken in the academy this year. In a way , the phasing out process has begun.

A N Joshi offers seeds of hope in these turbulent financial days the company is seeing saying, “We normally select boys every alternate years, since the boys were selected last year, there was no selection this year,” said Joshi while still expecting the government to come to the aid of the academy.

“Yes, talks are going on with the Goa football Development Council (GFDC). They have reach to youngsters and so we have approached them. We are in talks with them and we are sure something will work out. Let us not jeopardise the process,” stated Joshi when prodded on the nature of the talks.

 “Tenders have been advertised by GFDC to start their academies already. I do not know whether Sesa Goa will respond but as of now we (GFDC) are thinking of SVD fathers in Raia and Monte de Guirim. Our Technical Director has been asked to go. So , I don’t know which way the wind is blowing,” stated a senior member of GFDC  on condition of confidentiality.

Former international goalkeeper and Arjuna awardee Brahmanand Shankwalkar who liaises for Sesa FA and is a council member of GFDC had this to say: “We were asked to make a presentations and the same was done by former manager Cyril Rodrigues. I do not know the status now.”

“GFDC has not had council meetings for ages. There was talk of starting an academy in Guirim and Raia but Sesa FA was never discussed. It does not look possible,” stated GFDC council member Savio  Messias.

Till date, 109 students have passed out  from Sesa FA ,of which, 82 trainees have played for professional and or senior division clubs in and out of Goa. Thirty five boys played for I-League clubs and 19 players presently play for I-league clubs.  Thirty players have represented Goa, three players have represented India junior team and four players have represented India.  The sale of one player to European Club I FK Teplice in the Czech Republic, is the tallest and most distinct achievement.

FC Goa To Move Training Base Out Of Goa

FC Goa co-owners Dattaraj V Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo with Manager Zico

FC Goa are thinking of having their training sessions –tentatively scheduled  to start from September 3- in  Goa and for some time  in India or in some nearby country  due to the incessant monsoons around this time of the year, disclosed an FC Goa source close to team manager Zico . As reported in The Goan , Zico is to arrive on “ September 2 and practise is to start the next day”.

“Practise sessions will be held at the Tilak maidan but because of the rains in September, we are looking at alternate venues in India and abroad too. The financial logistics are being worked out,” stated our source.

“The conditions in Europe are different to the conditions in India. Players have to acclimatise to local conditions. Even the European players have to acclimatise to our conditions. So, what is the point of going to Europe?” asked our source while ruling out the possibility of the team going to Europe for pre-season training.

“Hotel accommodation is costly in Goa compared to other parts of India or some neighbouring countries. The ground facilities available will be a major factor in determining the other training location,” emphasised our source.

The FC Goa team is now almost set with the signing of the other Indian players out of the draft.  Three foreign players are left to be signed as the ISL allows nine foreign players to be signed and six are already roped in.

“Zico may choose the other three foreigners or it could be that the owners refer three names to Zico,” disclosed a senior FC Goa source  closely linked to  the three main owners of the team- Dattaraj V Salgaocar,  Shrinivas Dempo and Venugopal Dhoot. Cricketer Virat Kohli is the fourth individual who has a financial stake in the team- he is supposed to have contributed more than five crores last year.

According to ISL rules, every franchise is allowed to have nine foreign players and a minimum of fifteen Indian players. Every franchise can have a minimum of 22 players or a maximum of 26 players in a squad. As per the rules last year, players were to be given five star accommodations. The same has been amended this time. Foreign as well as Indian players can now be provided four star accommodations or be kept in serviced apartments. “The idea is to keep them close so that they get to know each other. As of now, arrangements have been made to keep them in a five star hotel in the city,” stated our source.

I League Open To More Corporate Teams

Hope is not lost for Indian players players not picked up in the recently held Hero India Super League (HISL) draft. The Al India football Federation (AIFF) is going to advertise for more corporate entities to enter the I League. “We are going to advertise in a weeks’ time for corporates to enter the I league. The floor is open to any corporate fulfilling the I League criteria,” stated I League CEO Sunando Dhar in an exclusive interview.

“Churchill Brothers or even other teams like JCT can come through the corporate route if they meet the criteria. We have no problems and there is no bias. Teams can enter the I league after topping the second division of the I league too. There are no hard and fast rules. The club licensing criteria has to be met. That is all” stated Sunando  Dhar.

“The idea of getting corporate teams is so that the clubs will be run professionally. Corporates will be required to infuse a lot of money .Obviously; there will be returns for the teams and players. A time frame for returns cannot be set at this stage,” disclosed Sunando.

“The I League is here to stay. I have never said of for that matter no one from the AIFF has said that the I League will merge with the ISL. If that was to be so , we would not be advertising for more corporates to join ,” said Sunando while trying to allay fears that the I League will make way for the ISL.

The following are some of the criteria to be met:

1: New clubs will have to pay an annual license fee of Rs 3 crores for next 5 years;

2: The new club gets immunity from relegation (like Bharat FC this year) for three years subject to conditions. They get to play in the I league for four seasons;

3: Successful bidders have net worth of more than 500 crores and will be required to submit a corporate guarantee;

4: Successful bidders having net worth less than 500 crores will be required to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 100 crores.

According to I League rules, new clubs bidding for direct entry shall undertake three essential activities: 1”Creating /leasing stadium. Club gets a timeframe of five years to build the new stadium; 2: An annual review of the progress will be undertaken by AIFF against the timelines mentioned by the incumbent in their proposal. In case of no compliance the clubs may lose the no relegation immunity”.

Highly placed sources in the AIFF disclosed to THE GOAN that “at least one corporate team is expected to put in the papers this year”. “ I do not want to comment now. Let us wait and see how corporates respond,” summed up Sunando.

Fatorda Artificial Turf Impasse Set To End in August

All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Kushal Das flew down to Goa to put an end to an unnecessary standoff between the Goa Football Association (GFA), the AIFF and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG). Kushal Das, Sandip Jacques and Elvis Gomes met in a five star hotel to thrash out how the artificial turf built by FIFA outside the Fatorda stadium should be used. According to all indications, AIFF that is presently using the stadium will stop in August.

 With the ground unavailable to youth in the South , Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai jumped ship in favour of the children. In a letter emailed to GFA President Elvis Gomes (copy emailed to The Goan ) a few days back, Sardesai states:

“This is to inform you regarding many parents of budding football players from South Goa who wish to partake in the selection process for the U-17 India National Football Team had met with me a few days back raising apprehensions of having to travel all the way to Duler, Mapusa for the selection process.

All the players as well as their parents expressed unhappiness with the fact that they have to travel to Mapusa for the selection to be held on 15/07/2015. The explained with plenty of football complexes and grounds in South Goa it would be fitting to have a selection at any venue in South Goa.

Kindly look into the matter and to ensure no injustice is done to the players of South Goa who have to travel long distances to partake in the selection.”

GFA has in its press notes been complaining that the selection trials have to be held in their ground in Mapusa due to the non-availability of a ground in South Goa.

The Goan picture is:

“The GFA approached  us (AIFF)  stating that they needed the ground being used for the preparation of the  U-17 World Cup team in Fatorda on July 1,2 and 3 from 3p.m to 6.30 pm. Since the ground was required by us at the specified time, we asked GFA to use the ground from 11 am to 3pm. GFA replied saying the time was not suitable,” stated a senior AIFF member

“We then asked GFA to use the ground on Saturday and Sunday. They refused, stating they needed the ground on the days they wanted. Does this not show the hollowness in their approach to football? Is football to be used to score ego points or for the betterment of the game,” asked the AIFF member.

AIFF secretary Kushal Das was forthright.” This is an ego problem with GFA and SAG. We are not involved. I am in Goa today to sort this out. The Fatorda ground will be available from August .Please do not get AIFF involved “stated Das.

Surprisingly all GFA correspondence is with Anshuman Arya ,Sr. Manager, Academies & Grassroots(AIFF) and not  SAG. One bit of correspondence between AIFF and GFA reads:” The ground is available only on very specific time slots i.e. 10 AM to 2:30 PM on the mentioned dates as per trailing mail.  Other time slots are not available at the moment. Let me know if you are fine with these timings.”

“I am not aware if AIFF suggested we use the ground on Saturday and Sunday. I am pretty sure, we were never made the offer.  The matter will be deliberated in our AGM and we shall approach the government,” stated GFA president Elvis Gomes.

“The matter is between the AIFF and GFA, just like matters are with parents and siblings. The MOU’s signed between us and AIFF are clear. I am following what has been signed by my predecessor. Also, why this fuss about artificial turf? There are so many grounds in South Goa,” elaborates SAG Executive Director Sandip Jacques.

“Goa cannot surrender to the whims and fancies of AIFF.I am bothered about ground facilities for people of Fatorda . I am going to build a ground for the youth of Fatorda and if need be, will take part in an agitation to throw out the artificial turf,” threatened Vijai.

With a solution in sight now, inflated egos are set to let the ball roll.

Tilak,Fatorda Stadiums Out of Bounds For Coming I League

With Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) all set to meet FIFA requirements- for Goa to be selected as one of the six cities for the  FIFA 2017 Under 17 World Cup- the2015/2016 I League matches will have to be held either at GFA’s Duler stadium or some other  ground in Goa. “The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda and the Tilak maidan in Vasco will not be available for this years I League,” stated SAG Executive Director Sandip Jacques.

The I league is tentatively scheduled to start in January 2016. “No dates have been finalised but the I League should start somewhere in January,” stated I League CEO Sunandho Dhar. “Like last season, teams will organise their home matches ,” added Dhar.

Goa has two teams in the I League-Salgaocar Football Club and Sporting Clube de Goa.  Surprisingly club officials of the two teams are unaware that the two stadiums will not be available.

“I don’t think adding two dressing rooms will keep the stadium out of our bounds. We are planning to have our matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda,” stated Sporting CEO Victor Fernandes. “We have decided to use the Tilak maidan for our home games,” said Salgaocar FC secretary Adlear  D’cruz.

“FIFA has asked that we provide two additional dressing rooms in the west stand. Since the Fatorda stadium is used by FC Goa for its home matches, we have decided to start work only after December 23. We require around five to six months to finish the work. So, the ground will not be available,” stated Jacques.

Tilak maidan,Vasco  faces a similar problem. It has been set aside for FC Goa’s practise ground to start .The ground has been shortlisted as a practise ground for the World Cup too.“ Tilak maidan has been earmarked as a practise ground for the FIFA World Cup. Repair works to the tune of around 2.5 crores are required. It will not be available for the I League, too,’ explained Jacques.

The Duler ground was used for the I League in 2012/2013. The crowds came in numbers in that year. In comparison, the spectator participation was sparse, rather negligible, this year.

“Provided all the stake holders are there to support us, we are ready to take everyone along to make the ISL and the World Cup memorable events in terms of participation. FC Goa had a magical effect on crowd response. We cannot ask them to go out of the State. The I League was held in Duler before,” stated SAG’s Sandip Jacques.

FC Goa Tickets To Be Dearer This ISL

The tickets for FC Goa matches at the Pandit  Jawharlal Nehru stadium Fatorda are going to be dearer this season. After the crores being pumped, the returns have been pretty negligible. Hence, the rise in prices of tickets. Though The Goan is yet to ascertain the quantum of raise, the hike is inevitable according to sources linked with the team and ISL.

“ Close to two crores were grossed from ticket sales last year. The ticket selling companies and other costs had to be deducted. The turnover was not much. FC Goa  intend making atleast four crores, in the minimum, this season. They can do so only by increasing the price of tickets,” disclosed our source.

“The Fatorda stadium has a fixed capacity. The intake capacity of spectators cannot be increased in anyway. Increasing the price of tickets is the only option,” justified our source. 19,800 is the capacity of the stadium. Initially last year, tickets were priced at Rs 100,200,300 and 2,500. It increased to 200,400,480 and 3,000 as FC Goa reached the semi-finals. Though not all tickets were initially sold-plenty were initially distributed free to children- bedlam started when the team reached the semi-finals. People , for the first time in Goa after a long , long time had to spend the night outside the stadium for the ticket counters to open the next day. Yet , there were many unhappy as the tickets got sold out immediately.

“We are in the process of deciding the ticketing strategy. It is too early to say anything now. We will announce about the tickets at the right time, “stated  Rahul Raichand FC Goa’s marketing man in Mumbai. “Email me your questions and I will get back to you in time,” he stated. At the time of going to press, despite reminders, there was no response from him.

Every club is allowed to spend Rs 21 crores on players from the team. “FC Goa will not be spending the full amount but the overheads are many. The teams expenditure can easily touch 35 crores this season,” said a source closely linked with the running modalities of ISL.

All TV money collected by ISL is distributed to IMG, Star Sports and the clubs.”TV money collected by ISL, after deducting all expenses, is   supposed to be distributed to clubs . Last year no  amount  could be distributed to the  clubs as it was reported that cost was more than  the TV collection . It was the first time spending frenzy  that did not surprise many in ISL. “ The clubs could not be paid the money promised to them,” stated our source from Mumbai. “Initially each club was expected to be paid around Rs five crores,” stated our source reluctantly.

All costs and payments are closely monitored by the people running ISL. For example, Chetri does not get rs 1.5 crores from Mumbai City. “ Chetri is paid Rs 75 lakhs by  Bengaluru FC and the franchise that has bought him in the auction (Mumbai FC) pays him the remaining 80 lakhs.So he gets Rs 1.5 crores in total. So long as it does not cross 1.5 crores,” stated our source while explaining the inner workings of ISL.

“Whatever happens, the owners will surely see that the fan is not hurt. FC Goa is the club of every Goan , as far as the owners are concerned. They are convinced of it.But , the logistics cannot be forgotten. I am sure the fans will understand this too,” stated a FC Goa source close to the owners of the team.

DSYA Under Prabhu Desai Scraps HSS  Football League

The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA) under VM Prabhu Dessai is discontinuing the Higher Secondary School (HSS) football league started by former director Y .B Tavde during the last academic year. The League was conceptualised at  the insistence of Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) member secretary and Goa Football Association (GFA) president Elvis Gomes.

Sixty boy teams and twenty girls teams participated in the league which commenced on September 22 and concluded on November 16.

“The PE teachers were not at all happy. Poor organisation and refreshments not being served properly were some of the main reasons. PE teachers kept complaining even six months after the league was over. This in itself meant there was something seriously wrong. So, it was decided to cancel the league,” stated DSYA director VM Prabhu Dessai.

The minutes of the meeting held with HSS PE teachers on 29/4/2015 (copy available with THE GOAN) states: “Some of the PE teachers informed that the Football U-19 League match Tournament was a failure as it consumed a lot of time and objected to conduct the same this year. Other PT teachers also supported him. Further, he also added that amount towards the travelling is not yet paid to the Higher Secondary Schools and that the refreshments were not properly given to the players. Further he requested DSYA to conduct an inquiry in the said matter. DSYA assured the PE teachers that the said tournament will not be organized this year due to the reasons explained above.” Thirty PE teachers attended the meeting but surprisingly the minutes does not name the “he” it refers to .

“You can call up Chetan Kavlekar who is the president of Physical Education Teachers Association (PETA) and ask him,” said Prabhu Dessai when asked to name some PE teachers against the League system.

“I never objected to the HSS League or said it should be scrapped. There were some problems but those were teething problems. If the league was organised badly it is because his department organised it. Why is Prabhu Dessai trying to involve me, “stated  Chetan when THE GOAN contacted him. “ There were some problems. Please contact Oswald da costa as he is aware of them and he will be in a better position to explain . But I never objected ,” added Chetan who is the PE teacher of Dempo HSS of Commerce.

“We were upset at the DSYA meeting because of the number of games being introduced by the DSYA this year. Thirty seven games have been introduced. This is too much. How do they expect us to compete in all these games? Why are so many games being pushed down our throats? We were the people who pushed for the league system. We were surprised to see some PE teachers against the league when the director called for the meeting.” said  Oswald da Costa, PE teacher from Rosary HSS, Navelim .

“Referees were not cleared their dues, transport was not paid to the schools and the refreshments provided were not up to the mark. I understand these problems are bound to happen. These are hiccups of the organisation. But, it was a nice opportunity for all the girls and boys. Whatever the DSYA does, football has to be winner,” stated Oswald.

“As far as I am concerned, anybody who understands sports will vouch for the league format instead of the knock out system. It is always the league that matters in the development of sports. Football is no different. Everyone supported the league. Even the headmasters and that is  so many teams participated. That is the testimony, “stated Elvis Gomes.

The first HSS football league was organised by DSYA in collaboration of GFDC and GFA. THE GOAN were the sponsors.

A bubble bursts. Many who enjoyed the football on display never thought they were watching a bubble!

When Lume Pereira had the last word on football

“Herbert gets the ball from Dionisio and after dodging past Arnold sends a nice long through pass to Francis who is chasing the ball. Francis runs faster than the Salgaocar defender, controls the ball with his left leg and unleashes a powerful right footer. Goalkeeper Brahmanand stretches himself to his right and punches to ball for a corner. What a save! When it looked like the ball was going to enter the net, the Salgaocar goalkeeper come up to his sides defence. As Herbert prepares to take the corner for Dempo, I hand you over to my friend Benau for further commentary in Konkani……………Devborem korum, Lume…….”

Football commentary was a must in the seventies when seats at playgrounds were scarce.  In those days, there were no stadias. With no TV, the commentary provided by All India Radio (AIR) was the only way ardent football fans could conjure how their favourite clubs and players performed.

Goa in those days had two famous commentators- Francisco Lume Pereira in English and Jeremias Benaum in Konkani. “For further commentary in Konkani, I hand you over to my friend Benaum “, were the famed words of Lume when he handed over the mike to Benaum . And then, the tattle would continue in Konkani.

Lume started commentary in 1972. He came to be selected as a local commentator by virtue of his excellent sports reportage for the only English daily published from Goa-The Navhind Times where he was a part-time reporter for sports and paid per column centimetre, his pocket money. That was the time AIR was introducing its sports service in India on their National hook up.  It was started on November 19, 1972 on Indira Gandhi’s birthday when the Santosh Trophy was held in Goa. That is when Lume met with the then famous journalists from Mumbai ATP Sarathy of the Indian Express and K Bhaskaran from the Times of India. The trio formed a set up that brought football live into the minds of listeners- when travelling to the ground was difficult.

The Bandodkar Gold Cup, The Police Cup, the Nationals and even international tournaments – when the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda was built- were broadcast live by AIR. Those were the days when football was feverish.

Commentary on radio is different from what we hear on TV. The former recreates the magic on the field in one’s mind while the latter is restricted to comments on what we see. “I was used to listening to football commentary on Portugal radio. Football commentary from Portugal was famous in those days. I adapted the style in English’,” avers Lume, recalling his good old days with the mike in hand.

When a goal was scored it was said: Gooooal in the BBC commentary broadcast in those days. But, when a goal was scored in Goa Lume said: “it was theeeere”.But in India , no one would understand what was meant by ‘it was theeeeere’. That was Lume’s signature

“Some matches were a real challenge. The high speed games were demanding.  In those days, many teams fielded players with neither names nor numbers on their jerseys. Identification of players was difficult. We had to depend on the styles of players to recognise them. The Santosh Trophy semi-finals between Goa and Bengal was hair raising. Keeping up with the tempo of the game was a task. Goa lost. But, the game was one of my favourites,” recollects Lume. “But, not all matches were exciting. There were matches that were a bore. Translating stupidities on the field can be a problem,” admits Lume.

“Andrew from Vasco Sports Club was a player I liked to watch. During those days, Vasco SC had the largest fan following. The next team was Panvel,” recollects Lume.

“Goan public has lost the passion for football. They find that the teams are not exhibiting the football they like to watch. This is the problem. Why would you go to watch a game where the football played is different from what you think it should be? After watching some much of good football from the world over on TV, the fans expect more on the field in Goa. The standard of football is so miserable. This is the main reason why, there are no fans in the stands today,” remarks Lume Pereira.

“There has to be a revolutionary concept to promote football if we expect the crowds to come back. The ISL (Indian Soccer League) is the best thing that has happened to football in India. The ISL, it looks like, is going the IPL way. The IPL has been good for cricket. So, I think football is in for better days,” states Lume.

“Football is not in a road block. In India in general and Goa in particular it  is going through some hiccups. It is a sport that cannot be killed because it is a  world sport . If football dies in India, India will lose. Not football, “opines Lume.

“Football is life, the rest is mere details,” Lume says in conclusion.

Mukherjee has a vision that will enable FC Goa develop football from the roots

A lot of undue criticism was being plastered on FC Goa for not having started their grass root football programme as mandated by ISL. As it looks now, FC Goa preferred to wait, think properly and then draw plans on a programme that would benefit not just football but themselves too. Fortunately, this planning was entrusted to P.K Mukherjee. P.K does not just understand football-he knows. And, that will be the difference that will demarcate FC Goa’s youth development programmes and the others going on in Goa.

P.K , for starters, is from Bengal. He was the man behind Sesa FA.  He is now advisor, the head honcho of FC Goa- the man who has offered to work without pay because of his commitment to soccer. “Besides learning football, as human beings we need to have values. We have to be humble in any sphere of life.”  reasons P.K  when asked to present the thinking behind youth development in a gamut.

“Apart from having football development centres in rural Goa , we are planning to start an academy. Ours will be an academy that keeps central to the theme the ethos of Goa. We had a rule in the Sesa FA that only Goans will be allowed. That was because we thought then that if we kept it open for children from all over India, there would be cultural differences. The Reliance academy in Mumbai (that is open to all) is facing the problems now,” stated PK Mukherjee.

“Teamwork does not come from the field. It comes from outside. Hence it is very important to stay together. Team work is about anticipation and it comes from being together. How does a father anticipate what his sibling is going to do and vice versa? The same is true in football,” argues Mukherjee.

The Dempo Football Academy is not a dream. It is going to fructify. But , as Mukherjee sees it, the academy  will be economy driven.

“Skill with the ball is essential but more important is skill without the ball. In a match a player gets around three to four minutes with the ball. The player is anticipating and reacting, the remaining time. It is important to develop a player’s skill without the ball. Life skills,” says Mukherjee.

“ The FC Goa youth development programme is on. It has been on for a while. But, we have decided to be cautious. There are sixteen schools and we are thinking of aligning with more schools. Coaches have been appointed. Our coaches cannot fulfil general managerial obligations. I heard Katz Naidoo from South Africa can do that. So, he will be weaning our coaches in that direction,” stated Mukherjee. Our coaches are A license coaches. So they will complement and supplement each other,” stated Mukherjee.

“We are optimising on developing an association with the parents of the kids. This is important because in the end, we are looking at youngsters and their parents play a very important role. We cannot take the role of parents. It will always be child and parent first,” confesses Mukherjee.

“Nutrition is important to be physically fit but it cannot change our DNA frame. We are born the way we are because of our DNA. That’s the way we will be. Look at players from Barcelona. They are what they are. Players cannot be huge by eating. People think by bringing in nutritionist our DNA frame can change. That is wrong. But good food is required” advises Mukherjee .

Victorino joins the FC Goa samba bandwagon 

Victorino Fernandes will be the new Goan sway added to the FC Goa samba that is to start in the Hero India Super League (HISL) on October 3. Attempts were made for Brandon Fernandes but failed. Cavin Lobo , who made a mark with Atletico de Kolkata last season, was over looked.

“I was hoping FC Goa would pick me up. I at least thought they would try and negotiate . I was sad initially. Life has to go on. I know I will give my best to Kerala Blasters,” stated Cavin to THE GOAN.

“We thought of Brandon Fernandes as our first under-23 player. Since we did not get him we settled on Mongkhoseim Haokip who happens to be the highest goal scorer in the I League,” stated FC Goa advisor P.K Mukherjee. “ The ISL rules allows us to buy a goalkeeper later. That is why we did not go for a goalkeeper today,” added Mukherjee. 

Sporting Clube de Goa’s Victorino and Bengaluru FC’s  Mongkhoseim Haokip  now join  Romeo Fernandes and Joaquim Abranches in FC Goa’s set up now being deliberated by Zico.

This HISL players draft saw eight Goan footballers step into the playing fields as they were picked up by various other franchises of the HISL.

Salgaocar Football Clubs stopper Augustin Fernandes – who has learnt and grown tremendously under former manager Derrick Perreira- signed for Atletico de Kolkata . Augustin will most probably play along Goa’s Denzil Franco in the defence. Denzil was out injured for the major part of last year’s league.

“ It will be nice to have another  Goan  playing alongside me. I know Rino Anto has been brought for ninety lakhs. I will work hard to retain my place in the team,” stated Denzil when asked how he looks at another right back being bought for such a price.

Pratesh Shirodkar,Brandon Fernandes and Albino Gomes are three other Goans picked up by Mumbai  City FC.  “ I know Goans play good football. There will always be a link between me and Goa ,” stated Mumbai City FC assistant coach Oscar Bruzon.  Pratesh is from Sporting Clube while Brandon is expected to sign for them again after the HISL.

Albino Gomes has yet to start for the senior Salgaocar team but has been donning the gloves  at the junior levels. Keegan Perreira and Peter Carvalho are the two others  from the State .

From indications available, the FC Goa goose is set to be cooked. Though he was present for the auction , his participation was minimal. “ The strategy was developed by his Indian team. He did not have much to do with the selection of the players,” stated a senior FC Goa source present at the auction.