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!