Soiling Goa Professional League with charges alluding to match- fixing or manipulation does not bode well for football in India

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) red flagging six matches of the 2019-2020 Goa Professional League (GPL) of Goa Football Association (GFA) is a good indicator that the governing body of Asian football is alert to manipulations. But, the six matches flagged just proved that betting in Goa is taking a professional tone with no evidence on match-fixing or manipulation.

The six matches signaled by AFC were between the stronger teams and weaker teams of the GPL and all the results were predictable and good betting house use experts to predict results to provide odds to punters. In these six cases, the odds markers did justice.

The AFC report discusses matches involving Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC, Sporting Clube de Goa and FC Goa – the four top teams – in terms of players and financial power- of GPL lesser equipped teams and the results of the six matches left none following the game in doubts of any match- fixing because the winners of all matches were predictable.

The AFC had written to AIFF Integrity officer Javed Niraj informing him about, “suspicious betting patterns indicative of match manipulation” during the six matches from October 16 to November 19, 2019.

The GFA investigated and zeroed their probe on one Gabriel Fernandes , who according to the GFA report was found relaying live commentary during an I-league match , GPL matches and ISL matches in Goa. Relaying live commentary can be attributed to changing the odds by a betting house but not indicative of manipulating matches.

Gabriel Fernandes, as per the GFA report to AIFF, was found at the Nehru stadium during an I-League match between Churchill Brothers FC and Gokulam Kerala FC   with an entry card issued by AIFF. The report claims that the card stated he was representing Genius Group as a reporter and that the same group had links with Betfair – a well known and registered betting group in the United Kingdom.

The AIFF, on its part, has in a statement stated that it follows a zero- tolerance policy to any sort of corruption in sports. “AIFF Integrity Officer Mr. Javed Siraj is currently looking into monitored reports from Sportsradar , a company engaged by Asian Football Confederation  in reference to fixing allegations in the Goa Professional League which is hosted and conducted by the Goa Football Association .”

Gabriel was seen in many matches and was openly in conversation over the phone. “Corner “; “Saved”; “8(jersey number of player) crossed “; “Saved” were words used by him on the phone. Like Gabriel , there have been boys who were giving permission by GFA to sit in the press box at the Duler stadium in Mapusa and they too relayed information through their smart phones to betting firms in the UK.

Relaying live information to a betting company in the UK is in no way any indication of match manipulation. No one wanting to fix a match would do so in public view. It was obvious then and has become clear now that information about matches of the Goa Professional League is being passed on to betting firms outside the State.

The results of the six matches flagged by AFC were predictable to any one following football in Goa. The score lines may not have been. But casting aspersion of match fixing on players, coaches or team officials will definitely not help football in India go forward.

Betting is illegal in India as in many countries in Asia. If betting is a problem, AFC and AIFF need to address that separately and not soil players, team officials and the sport with charges that allude to match-fixing or manipulation.

 

 

 

Hugo Boumous is gone ; the story of Sergio Lobera’s sacking does not leave FC Goa

Hugo Boumous – the star player of FC Goa during the 2019-2020 season- will be joining former boss Sergio Lobera at Mumbai City FC for ISL 7 and the reunion has rekindled the unanswered question: why did FC Goa sack Sergio when it was clear the team was set to win the League and the knock out titles.

Hugo was the star of the season and because of his stellar performance – till the League title was won – and was given an extension till 2022 with a buyout clause of Rs 1.6 Crore which is being met by Mumbai City FC.

With Hugo leaving, FC Goa is without Ahmed Jahouh – the star of the 2018-2019 season – and Mourtada Fall , the rock from behind  since he joined the club. Season 2020-2021 would have looked to start on a wobble for FC Goa if the pandemic has not left the organisers of the 7th edition still stitching ways to get the tournament started in its original format.

The pandemic in India has kept all in India guessing. The ISL has decided that the tournament will be held either in Goa or Kerala. But with travel restrictions still in place, it is still not clear whether  teams will have to field only Indian players this season or just one or two foreign players and the onus of coaching will be on Indian coaches.

When Sergio and the technical team left FC Goa last season, the first impression tried to be portrayed by the Club was that the parting was mutual until Sergio and his team released a statement that painted a different picture- one with many dots.

With FC Goa set to win at least one of the two titles, the fans and many in the State were left askance with the timing; letting rumour mills work over time and the silence fuelling it further. In the end, FC Goa won the League title but not the knock out tournament which in the words of President Akshay Tandon would have also kept the “accountants” happy.

In the end, FC Goa won Rs 50 lakhs and the right to represent India in the AFC Champions League by winning the League and lost Rs eight Crore. They got the pie but not the prize.

Sergio, according to one FC Goa source, was asked to leave because he did not confirm to the teams policy of nurturing talent. The management has a point on this and their former player Liston Colaco is proof.

Liston was giving minutes to play on the field by Sergio- in the three odd years he was with the team- and ended up scoring three goals in two games for Odisha FC when he went out on a transfer. Liston was a stark example of Sergio wanting to bank on stars and unable to harness stars.

There were many occasions when FC Goa was leading by three or more goals and Sergio never thought it fit to strengthen his bench. Liston was just one case. There were others who were there with little hope of getting a chance.

“Players complained to the management about his style of play. There were complaints in November and again complaints in January,” disclosed another source. Yet, FC Goa kept going because the results were proving Sergio right.

Every club wants to win and it is the role of a coach to conjure those wins. Sergio did it by getting the boys score many goals and football is about goals.

“Sergio wanted an extension of contract before the season could get over and he was not getting one. A coach likes to negotiate when he is at his best and he felt it was his turn and the management did not think so. Yet, he did not allow that to hamper the way the team was playing,” stated a source close to Sergio before his exit from Goa.

“The real trigger for his sacking could be the two complaints received against Sergio during two away games. The management took what happened seriously and decided to actually sacrifice even winning the titles,” stated an FC Goa source.

“I cannot disclose what happened. But, the matter hastened the decision of the management, “stated the source.

 

 

 

 

 

GCA upgrading indoor practice facility; readies pitch for Panjim Gymkhana

As restrictions to the Lockdown were lifted in phases,  Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has been concentrating on upgrading its infrastructure at the Indoor practise facility at the GCA Academy in Porvorim and helping Panjim Gymkhana ready its new pitch.

“The Executive Committee of GCA  , according to secretary Vipul Phadke, after checking the facilities at the Indoor practise facility in Porvorim , has decided to upgrade the same with new nets and new pitches. “ We have already checked the facility with our consultants and tenders for works have already been issued. We expect to eselect the candiates and start work soon,” Vipul told this newspaper .

“The work is expected to approximately cost between Rs 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs,” he added.

The Indoor facility in Porvorim is primarily used by the players during the monsoons and the technical and financial bids were opened on June 9. “ We should have the palce ready  by next month. We have devised plans on how to get players to come and practise in groups . However, we are aawaiting approval from BCCI in relation to the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP)to be adopted  ,” said Vipul.

The GCA has completed  the cricket pitch for Panjim Gymkhana  with whom they had signed an MOU during the reign of former President Chetan Desai. GCA  enlisted the work of Suryakant Naik- who curates the GCA pitch- and Panaji Gymkhana  is set to  see cricket matches in Campal once COVID-19 is a story of the past.

“GCA promised to contribute a sum of Rs one crore to Panjim Gymkhana towards  the construction of their ground and we are sticking to the promise. The pitch is ready now and it is upto them to decide when they want to open the facility,” stated Vipul.

“Panjim Gymkhana is the oldest crcket ground in Goa where players who represented India came, played and left with warm tributes to our cricketing facilities. We have always had warm ties with GCA with most mebers of GCA  being members of Panjim Gymkhana at some time. The pitch that has been prepared by GCA is the fruit of that association,” said Narahar Thakur , member of the Executive committee of Panjim Gymkhana  who has been appointed to liaison with GCA.

“There is a visible affection between Panjim Gymkhana and GCA and it will always bloom,” added Thakur.

“ Once the pitch is ready and all restrictions are lifted, the Panjim Gymkhana hopes to host some Ranji Trophy matches, start a cricket academy  and bring back to the people of Panjim the opportunity to watch top class cricket back and produce top class crirketers in the city,” said Thakur.

GCA has also been distributing cricket kits to children from South and North Goa.  Around 40 odd cricket kits have been distibuited to children who have participated in GCA tournaments during the season that just concluded.

Each kit consisted of three bats,four batting pads;four batting gloves;four abdominal guards;four thigh pads; three helmets; and one wicket keeping glove.

“ We are waiting for BCCI guidelines after which we will concentrate on areas where risk is zero and get cricket running by abiding by all the norms regarding COVID-19 set by the government,” stated  Suraj Lotlikar, president of GCA.

 

 

 

 

Gomantak Times euthanised during COVID-19 Pandemic ; last edition on May 31,2020

Valentine day in 1988 was special for many of us in Goa as it was the day Gomatnatk Times , the third English daily was  launched. Mohan Rao was the man at the helm – the first Editor of the paper  and myself  the first Sports Editor appointed by a newspaper in Goa.

Mohan had assembled a group of journalists ,some having experience in Mumbai and a few from Goa, along with a team of designers from Mumbai . Also invited was Ron Hendricks , former Sports Editor of Indian Express , my mentor at the newspaper in Mumbai.

Going back 32 years could have been  tedious if the sound of the bubbles created then were not loud when they burst.  The memories of the first night when the first edition was being prepared are vivid as the staff of Gomantak Times prepared to produce the last edition of the paper on Sunday , May 31,2020.

I am not sure whether the paper was launched on the day the Arlem Trophy – the then premier cricket tournament of Goa sponsored by Chowgules ,  owners  first owners of the paper – was a coincidence or not . However, what I do remember  was that when the lead story – of the Arlem Trophy – was filed, Ron asked to see the photos and this is what he said:

“What are these ants? Get me a better picture where the players can be seen and recognised.” When informed there was nothing better was available he shot back: “there will be no sports page on the first edition.”

The late Prashant Elekar was the first photographer appointed and it happened to be his first assignment as photographer. He had never clicked pictures professionally. That he went on to later learn and was good at what he did, is another story.

“Go to a rival paper and get me a picture. It does not matter how you get it . Get it,” Ron yelled. There were only two papers in 1988 and The Navhind Times still used to do blocks for their pictures whilst Herald used the advanced technology used by GT.

So, going to Herald was the only solution. Getting a picture from the staff of Herald was impossible. But, getting a positive of the picture from the dark room of Herlad was not that difficult. It cost us Rs 500 with an assurance to the bromide maker  he would be employed by GT had he been caught and dismissed. Ron gave the money and promised to fulfill the assurance.

A few days after the lauch , the bromide maker from Herald walked in to tell his tale. Ron kept his word.

The sports pages- I had two pages assigned to me- were ready by 9.30 pm, approved by the designers in terms of lay out. Moha Rao came in at around 9.30 – spirits all cheered and was content. However, my joy was interrupted by a loud thud.

Mohan had banged his head against the glass pane of the layout table assigned for the Front Page after seeing what Elston Soares had produced for the front page of the  first edition. “Change this”, he yelled, tearing the page created and asking the designers from Mumbai to do a new page altogether.

Elston Soares was known as Paku in those days and had joined from a English daily from Belgaum. He was the chief sub editor along with Bosco Eremita Sousa who correspondent of some national newspapers/weekly in those days.

Pal was the news editor from Mumbai and Pramod Khandeparker was the Assistant Editor poached from The Navhind Times where he was then the chief reporter. GK Mohan was the senior sub from Mumbai along with Francis Ribeiro who had been with the Herald before. Ramnath Raikar was a novice reporter.

After the first edition was ready we entered the bar near the office to celebrate and as was the case every day later on we were the ones to leave the place just before the first bell of the St Inez church tolled.

It was always the case of ‘the best (food and booze- this part imaginary) in the world being served to the best journalists in Goa. The bar closed down many years ago. GT never had a good life after it’s early days of glory.

Hence , it was euthanised during a pandemic .

 

 

 

 

IOA indefintely postpones 36th National Games

The 36^th National Games- scheduled to be hosted by Goa from October 20 to November 4,2020- has been postponed indefinitely by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra  on Thursday evening.

The IOA President and Secretary  were informed after the National Games Organising Committee(NGOC) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that there was uncertainty over hosting the National Games as requested by IOA in its letter to Goa on May 15,2020.

“I sent a message to my President and secretary soon after the meeting stating Goa’s concern  over hosting the Games during the stipulated dates and that the NGOC had decided to write to the Sports Ministry in New Delhi for clarity and advise on the same,” Goa Olympic Association (GOA) secretary Gurudutta Bhakta told goalfest@blogfest.com .

 “ Goa is ready to host the National Games.My oficers have worked tirelessly to see that all systems are in place. But since this pandemic , we are not sure wether we should go ahead as IOA has requested us or not because the expenditure  on Operational Costs cannot be recovered. That is why we have written to the honourable Sports Minister for guidance,” Sports Minister Babu Azgaonakr told goalfest@blogspot.com.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in its letter dated May 15,2020 had written to the Government of Goa requesting that the National Games be held on schedule. “After assesment of the information in our knowledge ,  Dr Narinder Batra , senior officials of the IOA and I affirm that the National Games should be hosted in the same scheduleas was announced ,20^th October -4^th November 2020,” the IOA letter signed by IOA secretary General Rajeev Mehta had written.

“Members were unanimous in the meeting that it is too early to gauge how this pandemic will be behaving. The number of cases are increasing everyday. So , e decided to meet somewhere in the last week of July to take stock of the situation. We felt it is too early to take a call now,” stated VM Prabhudesai  Executive Director of  Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).

“We will require to spend atleast another Rs 200 crores as operational costs. Logistics such as transport, accomodation , food and the opening and closing ceremony are some of the things that will need to be worked on. These are things that we cannot expect a refund once they are paid for and therefore we are asking the Sports Ministry at the Centre  for guidance,” added Prabhudesai.

 

 

 

 

SAI releases SOP to kickstart sports

 

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sportspeople in India has been released by Sports Authority of India after consultations with “stakeholders” – none of them being active sportspeople. The thirty three page document with four annexures was released on Thursday and aims as a guideline all involved in sports should adopt.

GOALFEST.blogspot.COM HIGHLIGHTS CERTAIN OPERATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SOP:

It is the responsibility of National Sports Federations (NSFs) to ensure complete adherence to training protocols and to secure agreement from respective athletes that any training activity undertaken shall be in full compliance to the protocols mentioned hereunder. NSF shall nominate a Hygiene Officer to ensure compliance and implementation of all protective measures for athlete and staff safety.

 

►     Obligatory written confirmation (could be in the form of text message) of the infection-free condition of players and staff shall be provided to COVID Task Force officers before entering the premises

►     All personal training equipment belonging to an athlete shall be disinfected while the athlete is inducted into the training centre.

►     Athletes and staff shall be screened before being allowed access to common field-of-play/training facilities. Oropharyngeal or nasal Swab test shall be conducted for new/returning athletes (especially athletes in Olympic camps). MoHFW may be consulted for same regarding Government guidelines and cost of testing.

 

►     FOP equipment shall be handed over to the athletes and support staff only by the ground staff wearing personal protective equipment for diagnostic officers (FFP 2-3, protective gowns, goggles, gloves)

 

►     Athletes shall change before and after the training at their respective home or room. Use of low ventilated spaces and rooms that prevent social distancing, such as locker rooms and small dry-land rooms shall be eliminated.

 

►     A coach or staff member should ask athletes, as they come into practice, if they feel ill in any way, specifically listing certain symptoms, and send home those athletes reporting illness or experiencing symptoms. Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing, or other symptoms.

 

►     Athletes/coaches who begin to cough/sneeze for any reason, must move away from others until coughing/sneezing dissipates.

 

►     As most injuries occur early in the season, deconditioned athletes shall not be rushed back to full practice, or competition. Activities may be increased by 10% each week upon resumption of training.

 

►     Residential athletes requiring usage of common shower areas shall ensure soaps, towels and any other utility is not shared

 

►     On-field training shall be conducted in small groups ensuring minimum distancing of 1.5 to 2 metres (“2 Gaz ki doori”[1]) is maintained at all times by trainees and staff

 

►     Any training equipment used shall be disinfected before next usage by a different individual. Athletes shall only be allowed to use personal equipment as including utilities like towels, water bottles etc.

 

►     Hand-hygiene facilities shall be made available adjacent to field-of-play for use as and when necessary.

 

►     Physical contact of any form shall be avoided as part of training routine, for example handshakes, high-fives, tackling, sparring etc.

 

►     Spitting and clearing of nasal/respiratory secretions on the pitch or at any place within the facility other than toilets shall be prohibited.

 

►     Training shall be planned in a manner which prevents the need of physiotherapy or recovery post training

 

►     Use of swimming pool shall be avoided during this period. Separate SOP covering guidelines for swimming activities may be referred as necessary.

 

►     All trainers and support staff shall also adhere to the precautionary measures mentioned in this SOP at all times without exception.

 

►     Athletes shall also perform hand-hygiene before and after use of all training equipment

 

►     Special precautions shall be taken for training engagement of para-athletes as per guidelines and instructions of qualified medical personnel.

 

►     Athletes must remain inside the training facilities till the Covid-19 situation stabilizes

 

►     No spectators shall be allowed within training centre at any time. Only athletes and training staff shall be present at the venue.

 

►     Primary focus shall be on creating a healthy environment with quality experience, progressive training and safety of all athletes and staff.

 

►     Coaches may use downtime to ensure all safety skills are up-to-date, including complete sport safety, concussion training etc.

 

Precautions for gymnasium/physiotherapy room

 

►     Use of gym shall be avoided/ limited to inescapable requirement; and as far as possible exercise shall be allowed using personal equipment, which shall not be shared by any other trainee.

 

►     If exercising in gym is deemed necessary, distancing norms of 1.5 to 2 metres shall be adhered to at all times and it shall be ensured that no utility like towel, water bottle etc. is shared

 

►     The use of gym shall be allowed in specific time slots, allowing sufficient time for disinfection between two slots, and the maximum number of people allowed to use the gym at a time shall be determined by the COVID Task Force of respective centre

 

►     Use of the fitness equipment shall be permitted only while wearing gloves and face mask and under consequent use of disinfectants afterwards. Use of the fitness room shall be permitted only in small groups of maximum 5 people under observance distancing norms.

 

►     Spatial separation and sufficient distance between gym equipment shall be ensured at all times.

 

►     Each gym equipment shall be disinfected after every single use. Additional staff shall be appointed for proper disinfection of the gym equipment prior to continuous usage.

 

►     Trainees shall be encouraged to undertake additional freehand exercises and practice yoga extensively during this period

 

All physiotherapy/massage shall be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

SAI has categorized sports depending on the nature of training and competition requirements and assigned baseline precautions to each category[2]. These precautions shall be adhered to at all times.

 

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The following is a list of references used for creating the SOP –

 

1.      The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Covid-19 Environment, May 2020

 

2.      Standard Operating Procedure for Work Resumption after Lock down, BHEL

 

3.      Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 1st May, 2020

 

4.      Guidelines for Quarantine Facilities, MoHFW

 

5.    Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19, World Health Organisation AIIMS booklet on COVID-19 Study on Resumption of Sport in India – COVID-19 Scenario, IOA booklet .

 

 

 

 

 

 

IOA asks Goa to host 36th National Games on schedule

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has requested  Goa to go ahead with the 36^th National Games from October 20 to November 4,2020 whilst praising the state administration for its preparedness in times of the COVID-19 pandemic  paralysing the country.

“After assesement of the information in our knowledge, president Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra , senior officials of IOA  and I affirm that the National Games should be hosted in the same schedule as was announced , 2oth October – 4^th November 2020,” IOA secretary Rajeev Mehta wrote in a letter dated May 15,2020.

“ We are ready. It is now upto the Government to take a call. The Government will consult with MHA and the Sports Ministry  to decide on how the Games should be hosted and the  release of Rs 70 crores due to us from the sports ministry,” V. M Prabhudesai , Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) told goalfest.

Despite the lock down announced on March 24 , the Local Organising Committee of the 36 th National Games-headed by Sports Secretary Ashok Kumar-  did not drop guard . “We are tying knots that are possible . Tomorrow if IOA says that the Games shuld be held, we cannot be unprepared. Asking for postponemnets is definitely not an alternative,” Ashok kumar had mentioned when the second Lockdown 2 was announced.

“As informed by the Games Technical Committee Chairman (GTTC) Mr. Mukesh Kumar we are pleased to know that the infrastructure projects and procurement of equipments are underway,as scheduled,and the fact that Goa is in the green zonein the nationwide lock down is benefecial in the preparations . We  commend the Government of Goa for its action to well protect the State from COVID-19,” the IOA secrtary stated in his letter.

“We understand your concern regarding the participation of athletes /teams in the National Games. The lockdown affected sports and some of the national championships were cancelled during the lockdown. Our member National Sports Federations is eagerly looking forward to the National Games in Goa.We would be working closely with  the Federations to ensure that alternate qualification norms are adopted , if not for qualifier competitions , to facilitate the accreditation any sports entry in time,” assured Rajeev .

“Sporting activities would  restart soon and the Sports Authority of India has already announced the SOP for resuming sports . Accordingly, there would be training in advance and participation of the athletes/teamin the National Games,” opined Rajeev in his letter.

“The many postponements of the National Games in Goa has been a matter of concern.As informed earlier, any further postponement would impact the entire sporting fraternity. So we request you to please expedite the preparations and host the Gamesas scheduled this year,” concluded Rajeev.

The use of stadiums – without  fans- was one of therelaxations of  Lockdown 4 by the Government of India  on Sunday.The start of Bundesliga  was the first indicator that countries are laying emphasis on sports and the hosting of the 36^th National Games in Goa  with restrictions could well open India’s sporting window.

“Getting sponsors will be a problem. But if the government is determined, there can be a way out. Hosting the National Games san extravaganza is possible,” a senio IOA member said requesting anonymity.