New Delhi
The President of the Goa Football Association (GFA) and SAFF Competitions Committee member, Dr. Rufino Monteiro Fernandes, is deeply committed to the welfare of football in Goa. He has taken on the task of ‘Mission Goa Football’ and, after completing one year in office, has presented a report card of his achievements. Fernandes, who took office on October 30, 2022, recognized that there were challenges facing Goan football. However, he prepared a vision plan and sought input from clubs six months before his election. Upon being elected, he focused on implementing the goals outlined in his vision plan. Under his leadership, the GFA has made significant strides. A record 826 matches were conducted in seven months to ensure timely completion of competitions. On two occasions, 16 matches were organized in a single day, a record for Goan football. More than 25 matches were played under floodlights, another record. Over 7,060 players participated in GFA competitions during the 2022–23 season. The GFA has also embraced technology, implementing all leagues and player registrations on the Centralized Registration System (CRS). Goa is the first state association in India to do so, with 18 leagues currently on the CRS. Dr. Fernandes is particularly thrilled about Goa’s victory in the Tier 2 Junior National Championship for Girls, with a 1-0 win over Andhra Pradesh. He sees this as a significant achievement, as Goa had not won this title for 22 years. Dr. Fernandes and his team are actively working to promote women’s football in the state, including organizing a Girls’ U-14 League for the first time in GFA’s history. He believes that Goa will soon become one of the country’s leading states in women’s football.
