Beginning to feel good about Goan football, it’s rising again: GFA president Caitano – Times of India

Panaji: Goan football has had something to celebrate after a long time, and even though top honours continued to elude the state, and its clubs, Goa Football Association (GFA) president Caitano Fernandes said significant progress was being made.

The progress reflected in some of the encouraging performances this season. Goa made it to the final of the Santosh Trophy for the first time in seven years, losing the final against Services.The beach football team won silver at home at the National Games last year, while the girls under-17 team won the Tier 2 Nationals.

Even with the clubs, there was some progress as five-time national champions Dempo Sports Club fought their way back to the I-League.

“Goan football is on the upswing now,” Caitano said during the GFA Awards Night at Verna on Saturday. “I am now beginning to feel good about Goan football. Goan football is rising again. When I took over the reins, I promised to work hard along with my executive committee to fulfil all the aspirations of the clubs. I am happy to say that this year I really felt we have at least achieved something.”

Sesa FA’s Joshua D’Silva and FC Tuem’s Pearl Fernandes were named the GFA men’s and women’s best players, while Dempo were adjudged as the best team.

Joshua was the star of the night, having also won the fans’ player of the year with 3,532 of the 13,000 votes polled online.

Charles Dias was named the best coach for steering Sesa FA to the runnersup spot – missing by a point – and taking Goa to the final of the Santosh Trophy in Arunachal Pradesh.

Former Dempo and Sesa Goa defender Nicholas Pereira was conferred with the lifetime achievement award.

“Football in Goa is not a new thing. It is in the daily life of Goan people. I don’t think you need an outsider to stand here and tell you about football.Now it’s up to us to ensure that the talent gets the match play time and get an opportunity to be noticed and scouted, so that players get the opportunity to do more things for Goan football and the country,” said All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey.


AWARDS

Player of the year U-13 Div 1: Piyush Sawant (FC Goa)
U-13 Div 2: Aditya Bande (Canacona SC)
Girls U-13: Sahana Gaonkar (Compassion FC)
Girls U-15: Valaina Fernandes (Chinchinim Villagers)
U-15 Div 1: Jayden Pinto (South Goa United)
U-15 Div 2: Josley Gomes (Salcete FC)
U-17 Div 1: Phati Mayekar (Dempo SC)
U-17 Div 2: Mehboob Tambake (St Savio SC)
U-19: Saish Gaunkar (FC Goa)
Best referee of the year: Milagres Noronha
Best assistant referee: Milagres Fernandes
Futsal player of the year: Mohammed Faheez (FC Tuem)
Coach of the year: Charles Dias (Sesa FA)
Fans player of the year: Joshua D’Silva (Sesa FA)
Women’s player of the year: Peral Fernandes (FC Tuem)
Men’s player of the year: Joshua D’Silva (Sesa FA)
Team of the year: Dempo SC
Lifetime achievement award: Nicholas Pereira
Goa Pro League runnersup: Sesa FA
Goa Pro League winners: Sporting Clube de Goa