Goa’s first ever International Football summit – “G.I.F.T” kicks off!
Standing (L-R) Dr. Robin
Petersen (CEO, South African Football Development Agency and Ex-CEO,
South African Football Association), Mr. Shrinivas Dempo (VP-AIFF), Mr.
Kushal Das (General Secretary-AIFF), Dr. Rufino Monteiro
(Chairman-GFDC), Shri. Manohar Parrikar (Honorable Chief
Minister of Goa), Actor Suniel Shetty, Mr. Keshav Chandra (Secretary
Sports, Govt. of Goa), Mr. Elvis Gomes (Member Secretary, GFDC) and Mr.
Wim
Koeverman (India National Team Coach) unveiling Goa's Draft Football
policy at the Goa International Football Table (GIFT).
The first day of the Goa
International Football Table witnessed a spectacular response from the industry
stalwarts
Honorable Chief Minister unveiled
the Draft Goa football policy and the GFDC publication
15th March 2013, Panaji: The Goa International Football
Table (G.I.F.T.) was held on Friday, 15th March 2013 at Goa Marriott
Resort & Spa. The two day summit focuses on various aspects such as the
infrastructure in the field of football at the grass root level, Indian
Football Development, Creating a New Sport: Beach Soccer, Efficient Use of
Stadium Infrastructure, Talent Development, Community Development, Marketing
and Sponsorship and Upgrading our Competition.
The first half of the session
kicked off with an introduction by host Sonali Chander wherein the moderator,
Stanislaus D’Souza introduced the panelists – Dr. Robin Petersen, Rajeev
Piramal, Jovito Lopes and Sioulas Anastasios for the session.
Mr. Petersen, CEO, South African
Football Development Agency & Ex-CEO South African Football Association
gave a brief introduction and background to the South African football scenario.
“Football has an incredible power to unite countries,” and to achieve success
in football, funds had to be created along with business, government and
football partners. This success, he said, would change the nation forever.
He shared the technical master
plan of 2022 of South Africa in which he said it would create a virtuous cycle
of success and would unite the nation for national pride.
Owner of Pune SC, Mr. Rajeev
Piramal, also the Vice Chairman and MD of Peninsula Land Ltd., in his opening
statement said, “There is lot to learn from the SAFA but at the end of the day,
they are our competitors.” He also stressed on the development of
infrastructure justifying that infrastructure does not only mean good grounds
and good facilities but also good coaches and good medical facilities.
Sioulas Anastasios, Coach of SESA Goa FC,
stressed on the need for the development at the base level.
The Sports Editor of the goan
daily - Herald, Mr. Jovito Lopes stated that one of the reason for failure of
football grabbing most eyeballs is the large fan loyalty to the international
clubs rather than Indian clubs. He also said that not only the government support,
but also Private Public Partnership (PPP) would help in the development of
Football in India.
Scott O’ Donell (AIFF/FIFA National Academies Technical Director/Director-Coach), in his
presentation, stressed on the development of football at the grass root level.
With context to this, he said that “This should have started 20 years back.” He
also proposed the Grass Root development plan for football in India.
Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Shri
Manohar Parrikar in his brief address spoke about football in a nutshell. With
a sporty spirit he said, “Football gets you through life besides work.”
Dr. Rufino Monteiro, Chairman, Goa
Football Development Council, expressed his gratitude towards the Honorable
Chief Minister for his dedication and commitment in making football the
official sport of the state, not just in words but also in action. “Football is
not a fashion statement but it’s about passionate dedication towards the sport,”
he said. “
He further said that “Goa’s aim
is to produce good players and that GFDC is working towards it. Studies done in
Indian cities reveal that football now attracts three times as many viewers as
cricket, more so because today’s youth want a fast, exciting game and 90
minutes of football ideally fits into their hectic lifestyle. A Nielsen survey
in 2010 found that 47% of India’s over 1.2 billion population described
themselves as football fans. Interestingly, football also attracts the second
highest sports sponsorship in India, out-ranking tennis, badminton, boxing,
wrestling and athletics where India boasts of world class athletes, some even
champions. There is so much to do to develop football in India.”
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