Football can become an industry in Goa - CM Manohar Parrikar's vision can be a reality

Goan I-League clubs have been spending a major part of their annual budget on salaries of foreign players and other outstation players, but not much has been spent at the grassroots and youth development. Up to now, the club owners have invested heavily only for honour and glory. But for how long, is the question haunting all the club owners today.

An industry is feasible only when all the stakeholders benefit monetarily. For example, the village clubs in Goa are like nurseries in football where promising players ply their trade. Are they being compensated whenever their player is signed by a professional club?

A system should be devised to compensate the village clubs, so that they are motivated to invest more and give better facilities to the players. AFC and AIFF have done well in giving time to I-league clubs to become separate entities and follow club licensing criteria. It’s time Goa Football Association too gives a similar diktat to all the clubs affiliated with it.

All the clubs must be registered under the Society’s Act for better organization and proper utilization of the funds they generate. At the moment several clubs are run by individuals.

All the stakeholders of the game i.e. GFDC (Government), Goa Football Association, I-league clubs, other smaller clubs and village clubs must come together and set a common goal to make football financially sustainable and commercially viable.

We are fortunate to have a road map, an excellent plan called ‘Lakshya: One vision, one goal’ prepared by Shri Rob Bann, the technical director of ‘All India Football Federation’. It covers all aspects of the game such as organization, budget, youth development, talent identification, infrastructure, coach education, referee education, technical know-how, efficient club structure, nutrition, fitness, medical support, and even career support to ex-players.

Goans have the talent and passion for the game. Being small in size, the state is better suited than others to implement plan ‘Lakshya’.

Goa has the advantage of being a famous tourist destination and is blessed with beautiful beaches, and even beach football could be promoted in a big way. Football, as the chief minister has rightly pointed out, has the potential to become an industry in Goa.

It’s all about having ‘One vision, one goal’. Where there is a will, there is a way.