Recently in oHeraldo there was news of inauguration of new premises of Vasco Sports Club. Vasco sports Club is one of the oldest club of Goa which was established during the Portuguese time. This club was on its peak moment for lot of times and was one of the major clubs of Goa and India.
As the market of the football players went on increasing the club could not cope up the finance and lot of sponsors gave up. Then lot of businessman and public got together to help for the club and were running the affairs day to day, after sometime they were relegated from the I-League. Still they are struggling to get to the I-League but were unlucky as they stood third place. Once the glory was in such a way not only in Goa, India but also to some parts of world even lot of people lust and remind us of the past Glory.
As the market of the football players went on increasing the club could not cope up the finance and lot of sponsors gave up. Then lot of businessman and public got together to help for the club and were running the affairs day to day, after sometime they were relegated from the I-League. Still they are struggling to get to the I-League but were unlucky as they stood third place. Once the glory was in such a way not only in Goa, India but also to some parts of world even lot of people lust and remind us of the past Glory.
Coming to the new premises of the Vasco Sports Club there were some members who were like wolf in sheep clothing keeping an eye on the profits. These members recently constructed building giving contract to one Builder. Some of the members became brokers between the committee and contractor receiving their shares. Some of them got free flats and some of them got cash from the builders. Some of them got flats in Baina as they did not want near the club because they will be seen in those flats and the people will come to know about the wicked transaction they received so much money to sell Vasco Sports Club premises and god knows where they have kept it or who used it. Even a person name Cyril a Goan settled in Mumbai who works for national News a media person brought lots of donations previously, but there were no accounts mentioned and kept properly, so he gave up and never help them afterwards. So such is the state of the Vasco Sports Club its looks like a Rock outside but inside its blood is chewed by the functioning committee. I wish them a quick recovery and wants to see them playing in I-league in future.
Even in GFA and Sports Authority of Goa lot of public money is used for the personal benefits, the kits when they distribute they deal with commission, the games or tournaments they conducts there is loot in their pocket. Recently some of the athletes have gone to Lisbon for Sports Festival of the former colonies of Portugal, like Goa, Angola, Mozambique, etc. There was football team as well as players from other disciplines and also some officials, but lot of unwanted extra people from Sports Authority of Goa and GFA have attended on the cost of Goan people with their kins. They never went for the sprit of the sports but for sight seeing Lisbon on our cost. There is no discipline in the organisation and there is no control, if you are kin or friend of someone then they include you in their party. Lot of people are appointed without proper qualification and proper any sporting background. But who will look into the matters sport Minister, does he know anything about sports? Only he requires his profit after each transaction. The corruption level is so high that recently one of our Goan ex-footballer fixed a Women Football match by including two of his teams and he was an organiser of that tournament. One team did not turn up as he played foul mischief with them and gained a walkover. So both his teams were in final and the Winners & Runner Up cash he distributed some to the players and huge amount went into his pocket. He is an official of GFA Vasco branch, stay near Goa Shipyard spots moustache and beard. During one time he was a top footballer playing for Salgaocars as a captain and many time been Goa football team captain for Santosh Trophy, he is also in-charge of the veteran’s team in Vasco now. He was manager when Goa won the Santosh Trophy last year. This man is also responsible for the team which was not send to East part of India for Women’s Games recently as he played a cruel trick because the manager and coach is not his friend. The team was suspended and could not attend the games. I met the manager of that team and he explained to me what has happened, this young man gives free training for kids in his football academy, but he do not want to come open, otherwise I would have nailed the culprit. This time Salgaocars had qualified for the I-league due to foreign coach and I wish them very best. Last few years they failed due to corruption as some of them were taking money to be in the first eleven during matches.
Such is the corruption in Goa it has reached from politics to sports. Recently my informer gave me the news that the Duler Stadium in Mapusa will be demolished and will be given to the builder for making a Stadium and shopping centre, offices with shops, etc. So who will benefit I don not know till my informer gives me information as I have some names but no sufficient proof. Also the election is on the way for GFA committee watch out Goans!
What a shame the once Proud and Mighty club of Goa is almost down to its knees. I remember as a child we never missed a game they played in Goa. Even when I was in Bombay in my latter years never missed their game. Vasco Club was a team to be watched, they were full of tricks. The other Clubs that i remember such as Sesa Goa ,Salgaocars ,Dempo and Shantilal were not Far behind. Goa was the backbone of football, the standards have dropped though. Whenever I am in Goa I always Go to football matches. Sometimes driving through the villages If there is a match I spot to watch. One can spot a lot of talent among the village footballers, due to lack of exposure these players do not advance any further. in UK when my son was young between the ages of 9 and 17 years I assisted in coaching the local club. During Sunday league matches, unknown to us Scouts from top three divisions wound attend these matches, and scout for young talent. The club would then receive letters showing interest in certain players. Three youngsters from our club were chosen and played for second division clubs.
ReplyDeletePolitics and corruption play a major role in our domestic sports. Goa should have been a model state in all aspects, but it looks like our politicians take the lead for personal Gains. Get me rich Quick is their Moto. Then there are those in the spots committee who bend to pressure from these politicians. It is always said Politics, Religion and Sports should be separate from each other. I Pray for Goa to take the lead again.