The Goa Football Association (GFA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the GFDC Football Summit 2024, a landmark event that brought together key stakeholders from across the Goan football ecosystem. The summit, organized by the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) in association with GFA, addressed critical issues facing football in the state and produced a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at revitalizing the sport.

Key Findings and Recommendations

Coaching and Player Development

• The GFDC will appoint a Technical Director with Pro License qualifications to oversee coaching development.
• Refresher courses for coaches will be conducted, with GFDC covering expenses for coaching license upgrades.
• The salary structure for GFDC coaches will be revised to reflect current standards.
• Inter-centre tournaments will be revived to provide more competitive opportunities for young players.

Professional Clubs and Fan Engagement

• Efforts will be made to reduce infrastructure costs for clubs, especially those promoting youth and grassroots football.
• Clubs are encouraged to strengthen community connections to boost fan engagement.
• Match scheduling will be optimized, with a preference for weekend fixtures to improve attendance.

Amateur and Village-level Football

• The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) will be recommended to construct artificial turf grounds in both North and South Goa to extend the playing season.
• A temporary moratorium on new club affiliations will be considered to maintain quality standards.
• Inter-village tournaments will be more strictly regulated to ensure proper match duration and player participation.

Infrastructure and Resources

• Increased budget allocations for maintaining football infrastructure will be sought.
• Efforts will be made to make stadiums and grounds more affordable for clubs at all levels.

Player Welfare and Career Development

• Initiatives to support players' post-career transitions into coaching, refereeing, and administration will be explored.
• The government will be urged to consider expanded sports quota employment opportunities for former players.

Immediate Actions

GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes announced an immediate measure to boost fan attendance: "In collaboration with FC Goa and with government support, we have decided to reduce ticket prices for ISL matches at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, to just Rs 50. This is a concrete step towards making football more accessible to all Goan fans."

Looking Ahead

Margao MLA and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Digambar Kamat, emphasized the pragmatic approach to implementing these recommendations: "We aim to execute the top priorities within six months before moving to the next phase. This measured approach will ensure sustainable progress."

Dr. Geeta Nagvenkar, SAG Executive Director, expressed optimism about the summit's outcomes: "The discussions have ignited passion and determination among all stakeholders. We are confident that these initiatives will add immense value to the future of Goan football."

The GFA believes that this summit marks the beginning of a new era for football in Goa. By addressing challenges at all levels of the sport - from grassroots to professional clubs - and focusing on infrastructure, player development, and fan engagement, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable football culture in the state.

We call upon all football lovers in Goa to support these initiatives and help us restore the glory of Goan football. Together, we can ensure that Goa remains at the forefront of Indian football for generations to come.