"When there are no jobs,there are no players",Aejaz

We have the IPL.The ISL (Indian S

occer League) is expected to start this year. Badminton is to follow suit. Waiting and watching are also tennis fans. There is talk of Nadal and the likes coming to Goa. Beating them all , however, is the game of volleyball.

Unlike other sports , volleyball stands out because the Volleyball Professional League (VPL) is the only one that has all Indian players demonstrating their ware. And , they do it in style. The VPL was started in 2010 and carries a prize money of Rs 10 lakhs. There are six teams partaking in the VPL. They are: Chennai Strikers, Karnataka Bulls,Maratha Warriors,Yaman Tigers(from Pondicherry) and Kerala Killers.

The first VPL was held in Bangalore. It then moved to Chennai from where it proceeded to Yaman. Its last stop was in Hyderabad. The VPL was not held this year due to the elections. “ The players are from the Indian camp and from clubs. No foreign players are involved not because of money , but because we need at least six months to bbok them “ states Aejaz S Shaikh , international volleyball referee candidate.

“Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab , Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan produce the best players. In these  States, the game is played at the grassroot level.They also have the infrastructure, body structure,coaching facilities and provide jobs “ says Aejaz who hails from Mumbai.

“There are only two types of volleyball-insdoor and beach volleyball. Beach volleyball is outdoors and is very famous all over the world. In India too in coastal areas”, affirms Aejaz.” The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) just organised a beachvolleyball tournament in Rishikesh.It was great “ admits Aejaz.

Aejaz is in Goa along with Y.K Choudapur from Karnataka to officiate the All India Volleyball tournament held by Cuncolim Union.”Cricket is only played much in India.Volleyball is played in 220 countries of the world. The World Volleyball League carries a prize money of one billion”, Aejaz states.

“You just need two poles and the net. It does not need much infrastructure. This is why it has such a following all over the world. It was the most viewed game in the London Olympics”, Aejaz adds.

“There is a lack of jobs for players in Goa. One can play at an amateur level till the age of 23. What happens after that? This is the problem facing Goa. When there are no jobs, there are no players”, rues Aejaz.

Yes! We need jobs. Just love for the game will not help in sustaining it for a long time.

No quorum for GFA's EAGM

The Extraordinary General Body Meeting of the Goa Football Association(GFA) called for today was postponed for lack of quorum. Around 65 members out of the total of 104 required were present forcing GFA President Shriniwas Dempo to call off the meeting.

The main purpose of todays meeting was to bring about a change in the numbers of representatives from North Goa and South Goa in the GFA committee. According to highly placed sources in the GFA Salcette and Bardez have 6 members in  the committe.This was increased from four to six during the last Extraordinary General Body meeting. Todays meeting was to rivert back to the old formula where Salcette and Bardez   both had four representatives each and tiswadi be given four too.

Sources in the GFA pointed out that out of the 65 odd members who attended todays meeting , a majority were from South Goa. Around forty to be more to the point. A lot of absentism came from the North , raising questions if the move was deliberate.Had todays EGM been passed, Bardez would have had four representatives from among the 65 clubs they have.

Another point to have been  discussed during today’s EGM was a proposal mooted by senior GFA Vice President Elvis Gomes.  Gomes in his proposal has requested that the presidents of the professional leagues be co-opted into the GFA without the right to vote as they are major stake holders , having to run different age groups teams; take part in different tournaments /leagues organised by the GFA and other tournaments in India apart from the I League. This proposal was  to avoid clashes and alleviate the running conditions of these  clubs.

Sesa Goa and Salgaocar , both clubs who have two teams in the GFA put forth another proposal that their teams should not be strangulated and that they be allowed to play right up to the first division – if they earned a promotion.

Since there was no quorum , a small 15 minute discussion took place. Nothing much really happened as most were not prepared for this meeting.A  Salcette Football Club proposal that the GFA follow  the Government code for Sports bodies was shot down by Andrew D’Souza from Vasco. According to sources, Salcette football Club wanted the GFA to follow the government proposal that those above the age of 70 should not contest for the post of President  and he should hold office for not more then three terms. They also mooted the point that the honorary secretary and treasurer should not hold the post for more then two terms. Andrew pointed out that he had crossed 70 and was still actively involved in the organisation of football in his club. Andrew was supposed to have been backed by  Elvis Gomes, according to our sources.

Cuncolim Union has volleyball heads on a spin

Strategic planning helps a game evolve from it’s slumber. After years of fascinating Goans, volleyball arose. And as a game , it did so with panache. There were many who might have had a wish to contribute .Amongst them, was a man with a vision. He is Elvis Gomes, the president of Cuncolim Union – the club that recently hosted the all India invitational volleyball tournament.

To start with , volleyball lovers from Cuncolim had a fill of the game. The stands were almost always full .It was just not good volleyball. But , watching some of the best Indian players in action , was a thrill.

Joe Thomas, the captain of the India team played in full force. So did Y Subba Rao and many players from Haryana, Dehradun and Kerala. For many it was not the first time in this state. However, the memories they took back and left behind will linger on for  months to come.

“Volleyball needs sponsorship to survive. It needs coaching centers. There are many states in India that have such centres. If Goa has even one, it will help a lot”, says Joe Thomas, the captain of India who donned the colours for BPCL, Kerala. In twine with him was Y Subba Rao – a central blocker who delivered lethal smashes whenever asked to do so.:players need to get jobs. Sponsors are a must”, admits Subba Rao.

There was a time in Goa when volleyball was played from Morjim to Cavelossim.The game traversed through almost all the villages. The floodlights came on and the machines of the sport began to roll. One of the main proponents was the late Ramesh Borkar from Mala , Fontainhas. He was a player par excellence who outshone not only in Goa but in India too. “Discipline has to be injected into the game again.Only then can we think of sponsors coming forward,” argues Hugo Gonsalves , vice president of the Goa Volleyball Association(GVA).

One of the problems facing the game in Goa is the lack of a league. And the Cuncolim Union president was not wrong when he threw in a challenge to the GVA to organise a league in Goa. “ I don't have to be the President of GVA to revive volleyball. I threw a challenge to the GVA to revive volleyball since the President and both Vice Presidents and GVA office bearers were present at the finals. Without a league, how can the sport flourish?. There are many players of yester years who are willing to come forward. The ball lies in the GVA court and I had said the same thing when I was the Executive Director of the SAG”, stated Elvis Gomes. “A good league will throw up players who will attract sponsors. Let a beginning be made first”, he added in the same tenor.

Yes. Gomes is right. To revive the game in Goa, the tone has to be set. It has been set by Gomes’s club. Will the GVA sustain it? Or will it end up as another million dollar question in sport?

Armando denies joining Churchill, signs for East Bengal

India’s most reputed I League coach Armando Colaco  has denied reports that he had signed on the dotted line for Churchill Brothers Sports Club for the 2014-2015 season.” It is a lie. Somebody is spreading these lies. I have not been asked by anybody but reports are appearing without my knowledge or me speaking to anyone.There is nothing I can do about it “, Armando Colaco informed Goalfest.

“Churchill Alemao did meet me. He offered me the job.but , I never accepted it. I am going to Calcutta tomorrow to sign for East Bengal. This is the truth. I have many players who have joined the Club because of me. How do you expect me to leave the Club”, asked Colaco.

Just a week ago , the grapevine was seething with the news that Armando Colaco had quit East Bengal after having brought the Club to the second spot in the recently concluded I league.”He had joined Churchill Brother” read reports stating that “Armando could not weather the pressures of Bengal.Churchill Brothers ,who avoided  relegation this year in the I League , picked up Armando in place of Mariano Dias,it was reported. Newspaper reports further alleged that the East Bengal officials were in Goa to convince Armando Colaco to stay back , but had failed. East Bengal secretary Majumdar was even quoted to have said that” the Club  had time and that it would wait for two months to name their new coach”.

“ I am shocked and surprised by all the stories that have been going on about me. Everything that has been written is wrong.They are all lies.Absolute lies.No one even bothered to contact me to ask me”, stated Armando Colaco vindicatively.” I am sure to sign for East Bengal in a day or two. I am going to Bengal for that”, added Armando Colaco.

Just a few days ago , a section of the press had hinted that Armando Colaco had sent an email to the East Bengal officials. Though nobody could throw light on the contents of the email, Colaco shunned any conversation on the topic.

Armando began his footballing career with Dempo Sports Club as a striker. He then took over the mantle of the coach of the team – winning them four I league titles apart from other tournaments. He was shown the door by Dempos and took over East Bengal who were not sitting pretty on the I League table. However, after taking charge, things changed and the Club came close to toppling Bengaluru Football Club in the just concluded I League.

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.