Bengal and Goa, two of the grandest and oldest traditional power centers of Indian Football came forward on Monday to form a joint association to develop Indian football, especially the grassroots.
The two state governing bodies are collaborating for the sake of Indian Football. Dr Caitano Jose Fernandes, President of the Goa Football Association along with the Vice President Anthony Pango and its Executive Committee member Kistodo Fernandes had a meeting with the top officials of the Indian Football Association (IFA), the Unit Governing Body of Bengal in Kolkata on Monday.
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Fostering Collaborative Growth: Uniting State Football Bodies for Youth Development in Indian Football
A framework on how the state bodies will work together was reviewed. “Fruitful discussions took place during the meeting,” a statement from the IFA said.
“The collaboration is primarily aimed for grassroots development, with a particular focus on the U-13, U-15 levels,” Fernandes told News9 Sports.
The aim of this collaboration is to share knowledge and provide competition at the youth level with plans to have coaches and referees development programmes as well.
“We will share knowledge, engage in youth exchange programmes, which will provide competition at the youth level. Coaches and referees development programmes are also on the pipeline,” IFA secretary Anirban Dutta said.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲!🏆
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 21, 2024
The fight for the Santosh Trophy begins today! ✅
Are you ready for the exciting clash? We certainly are! 🤩#SantoshTrophyFinals 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/olE1QRBbDw
Apart IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, IFA President Ajit Bandopadhyay, Vice President Sourav Pal and treasurer Debashish Sarkar were also present in the meeting.
“Both associations expressed enthusiasm about the potential of this partnership to usher in a new era of growth and progress for Indian football,” the associations said in a joint statement on Monday. “Overall, the collaboration between Bengal and Goa signifies a significant step forward in uniting regional football forces to collectively elevate the sport’s stature and impact in the country.”
Dr Caitano Jose Fernandes, President of the Goa Football Association believes that the partnership between two of the most prominent state football bodies has the potential to shape Indian football’s future with the support of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Women’s football would also get helped from this alliance, apart from men’s football. Refereeing standards, coaching development will also be promoted. It could unite two of the grandest and oldest traditional power centers of Indian Football to raise the level of the sport’s overall stature in the country.
𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 ✅
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 21, 2024
Services clinch victory in Santosh Trophy opener against Meghalaya with a decisive penalty conversion!#SatoshTrophyFinals 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qDDfWgUwHy
Bengal are the most successful state in the country with 32 Santosh Trophy titles, while Goa are fifth with five national championships, the last one coming in 2009.
Coincidentally, Bengal won their last Santosh Trophy in Goa when they defeated them at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim in 2017 by 1-0 as Manivir Scored the winner.
Bengal and Goa were part of four consecutive Santosh Trophy finals with Bengal winning all four between 1996 and 1999. However, the two states have not been producing talented footballers like in the past while their leagues also aren’t the best in the country anymore.
Indian Women’s Football Team Gears Up for Turkish Women’s Cup
Meanwhile The Indian Football Women’s team have reached Alanya, Turkey to play the four-nation Turkish Women’s Cup that will begin on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Ashlata Devi will lead India in the tournament. The seasoned defender reflected on their long journey from Bengaluru to New Delhi to Istanbul and then to Turkey. “Yes, we are feeling a bit tired because of a lack of rest.”
Ashlata has played the four-nation Turkish Women’s Cup twice before and knows the challenges the women are set to face as Estonia, Kosovo and Hong Kong are the other three teams in the tournament.
“But that is not going to deter us from playing well in this tournament. We have two days before the first match. So, we will take the necessary rest and get prepared to do well in the three matches we have on schedule. But we are professional players. However tiring the journey is, we remain prepared to take everything in stride and give our best. It is time we got the show on the road,” said the star footballer from Manipur.
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 👊🏻💙
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 21, 2024
Our Turkish Women’s Cup campaign begins today ✅
🇮🇳 🆚 🇪🇪
🕜 13:30 IST
🏟️ Gold City Sport Complex
💻 LIVE on Evima Football YouTube channel #INDEST ⚔️ #BlueTigresses 🐯 #ShePower 👧 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/VmDx8lHbi0
Langam Chaoba Devi, the Indian Team Coach is equally confident of her girls. She’s been handed over the reigns on the Indian Team for the first time.
“We had seven good days in the Bengaluru camp and our preparation was good. We have been concentrating on defending because we are playing against physically strong countries. Our girls are fit as we are in the middle of the IWL season. I have full confidence in my squad. We are getting a tour like this after a long gap and are very eager to play these three matches.”
Chaoba said getting international exposure is advantageous for the young girls. “We have three players who have played in the U17 World Cup, but the senior level is different. They will see how European teams play and this will benefit them. I’m confident that we will do our best in these three matches and go all out to win. We have seen and analysed the matches of our opponents.”
