Goa the new football capital of India – has it replaced Kolkotta


Dempo’s entry into the AFC Cup semis brings the Goan clubs into the limelight at the Asian level

Goan club Dempo Sports Club entry into the AFC Cup semi-final, the first-ever for an Indian club, has shifted the focus on the former Portuguese colony which has emerged as the football hub of the country.  So what makes the small state rave about its success on the football field? If the Indian National League – I- League is one area to fall back to arrive at conclusions – then Goa with four I- League clubs takes the cake, the same as the Eastern state of West Bengal, in the 12 team League.

Goa Football Association (GFA) Secretary Savio Messais feels that Goa has replaced Kolkata as the Soccer capital of the country.

“The soccer capital has shifted to Goa not only because of the four I-League clubs but for many other reasons like a greater success rate at nationals, better administration, production of good players, coaches, referees and also better infrastructure.”

“Passion for football in Goa, a condusive atmosphere,  The  encouragement from GFA for clubs which helps them to  grow has been the secret behind of the so many Goan clubs featuring in the I league, “ adds.

But then the Indian I-League’s common complaint has been the concentration of the 12 clubs in just four states- Goa, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Punjab. Kolkata and Goa also has four I-leagues clubs and then Mumbai has three I-League clubs that means only one club outside the three states of Goa, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

That does not argue well for Indian football in terms of crowd interest – no teams from the southern states of  – Kerala and Karnataka and only one team from North - JCT.

Messais has  a solution  to the  problem.

“One should not try to kill the goose which lays the golden egg. The AIFF should take a leaf out of the Japanese Federation and built up teams in other states. The I League is 12 years old and it has been the same old story. You may reduce the teams or increase the teams, it will be the same states having representation. In Japan the federation formed a J League club in an area where no football was played and only farmers existed.”

And he agrees with national coach Bob Hougton suggestion of increasing the number of teams in the I-League.

“Yes, we needed more teams many years ago because you had a greater pool of players available. In a huge country like ours what can we achieve by having just 8 or 10 clubs ? Out of the 88 to 110 players 24 to 30 are foreigners. If only 60 to 80 players get exposure can you think we can progress?

But that is the not the only grey area where Indian football administrators have to address  themselves and GFA is ready to help the All India Football Federation (AIFF)

 

“If our suggestions are sought we are ready to suggest and help other states grow, but basically other state associations should first get their house in order, and AIFF need to be tough with these associations. A few states in India do not even have an association for many years like Andhra Pradesh and now Rajasthan. Can these states even dream of having a team in the I league ?

And GFA raises a few eyebrows and ruffled a few feathers within the Bandodkar family when they proposed to auction Cup.  Messais explains the reasons for doing so.

“We felt that the Bandodkar tournament could never be organized again due to the changing scenario in India. We could not organize this tournament for the last 15 or more years and we would never be able to have it again, we are finding it very difficult to organize the Governor Cup and the Police Cup which are knock out tournaments for Goan teams only. Hence rather than keep the trophy in the bank locker we suggested that we set up an academy and name it after the Bandodkar family. It was only a suggestion but we need to brainstorm and look at other ideas too.”

GFA are upbeat at the progress of the state and are not resting on past laurels and plan to set up an academy in either Mapusa or Fatorda, presently it has a tie up for youth development and other related projects  with The University of Porto, Portuguese Olympic Association and F.C. Porto and soon will have a protocol with Leicester City

The tie-ups  have  benefitted around 200 coaches and players. The state players and coaches  have benefitted in many areas like coach education, training of players in Portugal, youth team visits to Portugal, restructuring of the youth tournaments and calendar.

 

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