Women's football, youth development our top priority, says GFA President Caitano Fernandes

New Delhi: Goa Football Association President and SAFF Competitions Committee member strongly believes everything else surrounding his life can wait, but the welfare of football in the state cannot. Hence, he has taken up the task of 'Mission Goa Football' on himself.

Fernandes on Monday completed his one year in office, the achievement to tick off most of the things he promised in his election charter, and has presented a report card.

“One year ago, when I became the GFA President, things were not at their best in Goa football. Everybody around was saying that it was sunset time for Goa football and the glory days were over. I didn’t believe it,” said Fernandes.

“Instead, I prepared a vision plan, distributed it among the clubs and requested that they air their views on it. This was almost six months before I got elected. Once I was elected, my first and foremost job was to implement things that I highlighted in my vision plan earlier,” added the businessman from Dona Paula.

He said his achievements are plentiful, and believes that most of the things listed in the vision have been implemented.

“I took over on October 30, 2022. So far, we have conducted a record 826 matches in seven months to ensure all competitions in Goa finish on time. On two occasions, 16 matches were organised on one day, which is a record. More than 25 matches were played under floodlights, which is yet another record in Goa football. A record number of 7060 players took part in GFA competitions in the 2022–23 season," said Fernandes.

The GFA chief said that Goa has slowly returned to the position from which it could proudly claim itself as the leading light of Indian football. “For the 2023–24 season, GFA has implemented all leagues and player registrations on CRS. We are the first state association in the country to do so. Currently, we have a record of 18 leagues on CRS," he pointed out.

However, what has thrilled Dr Fernandes most is the victory of Goa in the Tier 2 Junior National Championship for Girls in Jaipur, with a 1-0 victory over Andhra Pradesh. “It is an achievement for Goa after 22 long years. I consider it a huge triumph. My team is actively working towards the upliftment of women’s football in the state. We Organised a Girls' U-14 League in January 2023 for the first time in GFA’s history. I can promise you that the days are not far when Goa will be one of the best in the country in women’s football," Fernandes said.

GFA is also working closely with the state government so that football in Goa receives infrastructural and financial support.

“We have managed to get six football grounds from the government for the exclusive use of GFA. At the same time, we have given a plan to the government. The honourable Chief Minister has sanctioned around Rs 6 crore for the development of football. If that money comes in, we will be able to change Goa football completely and bring back the glory days,” declared Fernandes.

The GFA president feels that his organisation has miles to go before it can sleep. "Many things have been done, many things are still in the pipeline,” he said. The plan is to see the teams get to play 20/25 matches in the youth league this season and to organise more than 2000 matches across U-18 leagues.

"Wait for some time and see how things get transformed. The way we have planned, I am confident that very soon there will be more than 100 players from Goa playing on the national scene. Till then, hold your breath, please,” said Fernandes with a laugh.