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

For a man, who was considered a rank outsider only a few months before his election to the post of president, it is definitely an achievement to tick off most of the things he promised in his election charter, according to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) release.

"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 did not believe it," said Dr 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," he added.

Dr Fernandes, who is also South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Competitions Committee member, 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 7,060 players took part in GFA competitions in the 2022-23 season," Dr Fernandes said.

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," Dr Fernandes said.

The relesase 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 Chief Minister (Pramod Sawant) 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 Dr Fernandes.

The GFA president, who has taken up the task of 'Mission Goa Football', 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 2,000 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 Dr Fernandes. (ANI)