Augusto Rodrigues
"After the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Goa will be hosting the 27th National games next year so let us take this opportunity to build a sports fever in Goa," stated Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the kick-off at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Bambolim on Monday which was interspersed with lights, loud sound, singing and not much substance.
"My government is carrying forward the legacy of late Manohar Parrikar, who declared football as the State sport of Goa by providing not just the best infrastructure for football but human resources to take the game to the next level," stated Sawant.
Goa's Hema Sardesai's melodious voice provided the much-needed kick to the ceremony. Hema's renditions of songs in Konkani, Hindi and English set the tempo for the rest of the evening which began 30 minutes behind schedule.
Union Minister for Sports, Anurag Thakur and All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey did not make it to the function. Chaubey was replaced by AIFF Executive Committee member Valanka Alemao.
"Goa has been selected as a host city because of the infrastructure we have in place for sports and for football in particular. Goa has proved time and again that we are looked at as favourites when it comes to hosting football matches. Goans must now prove that we are not just good hosts but good fans by attending the World Cup matches in huge numbers," stated Sports Minister Govind Gaude in his brief address.
Goa Arjuna awardees Bruno Coutinho, who is director of coaching with SAG, and Brahmanand Sancoalcar, chairman of GFDC, were felicitated during the function. Maymol Rocky, who hails from Kerala, was also felicitated for representing the Indian women's team and being the coach of the senior Indian's women team.
Ajay Gaude, Executive Director of SAG and Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs welcomed the gathering.