GFDC distributes football kits to trainees at Ambelim Centre
Panaji: The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) organised a kit distribution ceremony for its grassroots football trainees at Ambelim recently.
The event was attended by Velim MLA Cruz Silva, GFDC Technical Assistant Lawjyo Gomes, council officials, trainees, and parents, among others.
Addressing the young trainees, Silva said that they were at the ideal age to begin dreaming big and honing their skills for a promising career in football.
“GFDC has the right coaches to develop the sport and impart training. GFDC is providing you with kits and everything necessary so that you can play well for local teams, school levels, state levels, national and international levels, and even the ISL. Anyone can achieve fame. Earlier, people used to play barefoot—there were no shoes, no jerseys. They would play in open fields and wait for their chance to play football. Today, we have proper grounds helping the sport grow,” he said.
Silva also urged parents to encourage their children’s sporting pursuits.
“Parents should allow them to play football. To rise up, there is struggle in everything you do and in any field, including sports. Work hard and you will be successful,” he added.
In his address, Gomes urged the trainees to wear the GFDC with pride.
“When you go on the ground, wear the jerseys with pride. When you’ll wear the shoes given to you, every step you take, it is a step towards your dream of becoming a good footballer,” he said.
He cited an example of a local footballer, Stanley, who trained with GFDC Ambelim and rose up to play for Churchill Brothers in the ISL. He cited three other players, Harsh Patre from GFDC Mayem, who joined FC Goa, Nathan Rodrigues from GFDC Arambol who plays for Mumbai City, and Clarence Fernandes from GFDC Utorda who is playing for SC Delhi.
“These players have come from GFDC residential academy and from our centres. What has made them rise up in their careers is their hard work and dedication. At GFDC, we are here to give you the platform, the coaches are to guide you, help you, and parents are there to support you. If the parents support their kids, then only they will come to the ground to play,” he said.
“Mistakes happen, but don’t take these mistakes with you home. Be better than the previous day. Compete with yourself everyday. Don’t repeat the mistakes when you come to the ground the next day. Always remember your dream of being a good footballer. Keep the GFDC flag flying high, and make Goa proud,” he urged the trainees.
Loading ...