The Executive Committee of the Goa Football Association (GFA) met today for a Special Meeting under the Chairmanship of the President, Mr. Elvis Gomes in their office at Panaji and accorded approval to include one team on Direct Entry basis provided the team arranges to participate in the U20 (Taca Goa) and any one of the other youth leagues. The GFA also decided to keep a stiff entry fee of Rs. 30 lakhs and a security deposit of Rs. 20 lakhs for the direct entrant. It may be recalled that four teams were seeking Direct Entry in the GPL.”Corporate Teams are welcome. The GFA wants to go for a longer duration league from the coming season. Corporate Clubs would be providing opportunities for aspiring upcoming players in addition to the existing top clubs who have been instrumental in keeping the game going at the Professional Level”, stated GFA President Elvis Gomes.

The Goa Football Association also cleared the apprehension about the approval to the Sevens Premier League Tournament introduced for the first time and scheduled to commence on 30.04.2017 by unanimously granting approval and also clearing various doubts raised by the participating clubs about the organization of the tournament. “The Members agreed that such innovations can be tried and since only registered Professional Clubs were participating in the tournament at the end of the season, the outcome can be watched for future decisions. The AIFF have also informed that the decision could be taken by the GFA” added Mr. Gomes.

Further, the GFA will also introduce Futsal to the clubs from the coming season with the tournament most likely being scheduled during the monsoons. “We are introducing Futsal for the first time for registered clubs from the coming season and all preparations are underway”, Mr. Gomes added.

Meanwhile, the GFA approved the ‘D’ License Course to be held from 01.05.2017 to 05.05.2017 at Duler with Mr. Bibiano Fernandes and Mr. Caetano Pinho as the instructors.

The GFA also approved the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000/- on Mr. Sanju Mandrekar (Manager), Rs. 10,000/- on Mr. Elvis Rodrigues (Secretary), and Rs. 5,000/- on the Coach of Penha de France Sports Club for their involvement in acts of indiscipline recently. It may be recalled that all the three were placed under suspension and the suspension would be lifted on the payment of the fines. The GFA also imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000/- each on Mr. Elton Godinho (Player of Portais Sporting Club), Mr. Akshay Dabholkar (Player of A.A. de Moira), and Mr. Marshall D’Mello (Manager of A.A. de Moira) for acts of indiscipline on the field of play. The GFA also penalized the match officials who erred by not following the Official Competition Rules of the GFA during the match between A.A. de Moira and Portais Sporting Club.

The GFA further approved to provide all support to the CISF organized Oorja U-19 Cup, which will be held in Goa from 01.05.2017 onwards.

(Goa Football Association)