GFDC Poira Centre distributes football jerseys to budding trainees
PANAJI: The Sinquerim Sports Club GFDC Poira Centre organised a football jersey distribution function at the Chowgule Company Ground on Wednesday, marking another step forward for grassroots football in the region.
The event was attended by Chief Guest Premendra Shet, Chairman of the Goa State Horticultural Corporation, alongside Lawjyo Gomes, GFDC Assistant Technical Director; Sunil Govekar, President of Sinquerim Sports Club; Ex-sarpanch Mayem Vaiguenim Panchayat Vishwas Chodankar; Alok Kouthambikar, PE Teacher, Poira High school; Anand Adpaikar (Sesa Acedemy coach) and Laxman Hadfadkar, Centre Head, who all gathered alongside enthusiastic students and their parents.
In his address to the gathering, Premendra Shet praised GFDC for its active role in uplifting football, noting how immensely beneficial these initiatives are for young children. He also expressed his gratitude to Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, who held the portfolio when the centre was first established.
“We have developed three grounds in Mayem constituency, and this infrastructure has significantly helped football here. GFDC has been supporting the sport through such centres, and the children are reaping the benefits. Our GFDC Chairman Glenn Ticlo and other officials are providing us with timely support,” Shet said.
He further urged the young trainees to wholeheartedly devote themselves to their personal and athletic improvement.
“To rise up, you need to dedicate your time to it. You have to create goals. To become good players, you have to work very hard. To build stamina and skill, training and practice are needed every day. You need to give adequate time—not just 5 or 10 minutes—until you become a perfect person. You must satisfy yourself that you have reached that perfection. This will lay the foundation for your future,” he told the budding footballers.
Highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices, he added, “Keep away from bad things. Maintain control over your food intake. In football, you need to be flexible, not obese. This is your moulding time, so learn from your coaches. Build up your interest in the sport. We are eager to see you play at the state and national levels.”
Lawjyo also spoke at the event, encouraging the children to practice with dedication and set their sights on representing the country.
“To become great players, you must practice every day. Great players like Ronaldo and Messi practice rigorously. In football, discipline and consistency are very important. Give your 100 per cent. The Centre Head, Laxman, as well as the coaches, are putting in a lot of effort. The girls of this centre emerged as runners-up at Khelo India, and I congratulate them. Being runners-up is not easy. This shows that you all are turning up for practice and putting in the effort. Keep doing it. Watch as many matches as you can. Learn from them and from your coaches. We want to see some of this centre’s children playing for India. GFDC is always there to help you all,” Gomes said.
Loading ...