New Delhi
The inclusion of beach soccer in the National Games in Goa, which begins on October 26, marks a significant milestone for the sport in India. The decision to host the first-ever Men’s National Beach Soccer Championships at Dumas Beach, Surat, in January-February earlier this year, initiated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has played a vital role in elevating beach soccer’s status in the country. Despite FIFA having hosted 11 editions of the Beach Soccer World Cup, the sport remained relatively unknown in India. However, the top seven teams from the Men’s National Beach Soccer Championships, along with hosts Goa, will now compete at Goa’s scenic Colva Beach for the National Games title, with the final scheduled for November 1. Bruno Coutinho, former captain of the India football team and Arjuna awardee, is deeply involved in beach soccer and currently serves as the coach of the Goa team for the National Games. He expressed his pleasant surprise at the inclusion of beach soccer in the National Games, stating that it will make the event more interesting. Coutinho emphasized the significance of the AIFF’s decision to host the Beach Soccer National Championship, which has paved the way for annual national championships in the sport, providing more opportunities for players and contributing to the growth of beach soccer in India.
