Goa set to be part of U-17 Women's WC as FIFA lifts ban

Augusto Rodrigues

Football lovers in Goa will wake up to the news that Goa will be one of the host cities for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 after learning that FIFA, late on Friday night, lifted the ban on All India Football Federation (AIFF) imposed on August 15, 2022, due to “third party interference' in the functioning of football in the country.

“I am the happiest man today. Football players suffered because of Covid for two years and all were waiting to play. By lifting the ban, FIFA has done the best thing for Indian football which is waiting to burst," stated Goa Football Association (GFA) President Churchill Alemao as news broke late at night that FIFA had lifted the ban.

The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation, a FIFA media release said.

“The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been terminated and that the AIFF administration has regained full control of the AIFF daily affairs. FIFA and AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in organizing its elections in a timely manner,” read the FIFA media release.

“As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place from October 11 to 30, 2022, will be held in India as planned,” concluded the FIFA media release.

“I don’t think I will be able to sleep now. Vow! This is the news all of us women were waiting for. I know how much effort our girls put in to prepare for the World Cup,” stated Juliet Miranda, coach of the Goa women's team that took part in the last Women’s National. “By lifting the ban, Indian players will stand to benefit through the international exposure that they will now stand to gain,” said Juliet.

“As a loyal soldier of the beautiful game, I am very much delighted to hear that FIFA has lifted the ban which means all international football activities will start again and that we will be able to organise some matches of the women's world cup in Goa. I am also grateful to the sports ministry for taking keen interest to act as a mediator and trying to convince the Supreme Court to accept the three major proposals due to which FIFA had enforced the ban. Justice has been finally done and I am happy for that,” stated Babli K Mandrekar, Senior Executive Committee member of GFA.

“I am not totally surprised. The lifting of the ban was expected after India agreed to follow the FIFA mandate. I now hope that AIFF will put its house in order and players get their dues so that football in India moves forward,” stated Bruno Coutinho, Arjuna awardee and Director of Coaching with Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).