Joshua D’Silva and Pearl Fernandes bag top awards

Sesa FA’s Joshua D’Silva and FC Tuem’s Pearl Fernandes were named the GFA men’s and women’s best players at the Goa Football Association’s annual Awards Night at Verna on Saturday.

Joshua D’Silva, the Goa Pro League’s top scorer for Sesa FA with 24 goals of Sesa FA’s 55 goals contributing 43.06 percent of club’s goals in the GPL. He scored three for Goa Santosh Trophy and one at 37^th National Games.

Meanwhile, Pearl Fernandes, has been Goa’s upcoming talent who shone brightly at the U-17 girl’s national and, also made her debut for India scoring twice and scored 25 goals in the Vedanta Women’s League.

“This is our second edition of the GFA annual awards and we at GFA are proud to present and honour the best of our youngsters. Last season has been a great year for GFA and Goa. We emerged runners-up in the Santosh Trophy and Beach Football. And our girls became the champions of the AIFF U-17 National Football Championship. It’s been truly a remarkable year for Goan football,” stated GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes.

“Congratulations to Joshua and Pearl for bagging the top honours and I am sure these players will inspire others to give their best in the upcoming season,” added Fernandes.

The Goa Football Association also presented Lifetime Achievement Award to Nicholas Pereira, the legendary Goan defender. Nicholas won two Santosh Trophy titles in 83 and 84.

Dempo SC are awarded the team of the season for qualifying for I-League after a span of nine years. M Faheez has been named the Futsal Player of the Year.

“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. I remember my days playing for Salgaocar and the Fatorda stadium being full. All the faces here I’ve probably met or seen, 20 years ago.

“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 the players get the opportunity to do more things for Goan football and national football and take the country further, concluded Kalyan Chaubey, AIFF President.

Meanwhile, Sesa FA coach and Goa Santosh Trophy team coach for 2023-24 Charles Dias was named the coach of the season. 

 Awardees

Player of the Year U-13 Div 1: Piyush Sawant (FC Goa)

Player of the Year U-13 Div 2: Aditya Bande (Canacona SC)

Player of the Year Girls U-13: Sahana Gaonkar (Compassion FC)

Player of the Year Girls U-15: Valaina Fernandes (Union of Chinchinim Villagers)

Player of the Year U-15 Div 1: Jayden Pinto (South Goa United)

Player of the Year U-15 Div 2: Josley Gomes (Salcete FC)

Player of the Year U-17 Div 1: Phati Mayekar (Dempo SC)

Player of the Year U-17 Div 2: Mehboob Tambake (St. Savio SC)

Player of the Year U-19: Saish Gaunkar (FC Goa)

Best Referee of the Year: Milagres Noronha

Best Assistant Referee of the Year: Milagres Fernandes

Coach of the Year: Charles Dias

Lifetime Achievement Award: Nicholas Pereira

Women's Player of the Year: Pearl Fernandes (FC Tuem)

Men's Player of the Year: Joshua D'Silva (Sesa FA)

Team of the Year: Dempo SC

Fans Player of the Year: Joshua D'Silva (Sesa FA)

Futsal Player of the Year: Faheez (FC Tuem)