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.