GOA-L CUP V

SPORTS GOA: GOAN SPORTS FAN'S FAVOURITE

Mapusa boy’s were crowned champions after defeating Saligao boy’s 3-2 via the tie breaker in the finals of the 5th edition of the GOA-L Cup organized by the Goa Learning Soccer School at Saraswat grounds, on Sunday evening. After the match ended goalless the hosts Mapusa boy’s, held their nerve to snatch victory from the spot.

The winning team comprised of Captain Omkar Shinkre, Raj Thali, Dattaraj Lanjekar, Sairaj Tupsundar and Sandesh Kumbar.

Vice President of Saraswat Vidyala High School, Khorlim, Pradip Joshi was the chief guest and distributed the prizes. Sandesh Kumber was adjudged Player of the tournament; Pranav Dhavaskar was awarded the most improved player and Sankalp Shinde received a prize for the best designed football kit. The parents of the youngsters also participated in a special tie-breaker competition.

The tournament brought an end to the month long summer football coaching camp organized by the Goa Learning Soccer School (GOA-L), where 40 boys in the U-12 and U-14 category participated in learning the fundamentals of football in a fun environment, conducted by English FA qualified football coach Aldrid Da Costa.

FIRST APPEARED IN HERALD ON 1ST MAY 2012.

NUVEM WIN GIRL'S FOOTBALL FESTIVAL IN GOA!

SPORTS GOA: Goan Sports fan's favourite!

Agiema Borges scored the solitary goal in the second minute as Holy Rosary Convent high school, Nuvem defeated Little Flower high school, Calangute 1-0 in the All Goa finals of the Girl’s U-14 football competition organized by the Goa Football Association (Goa- Fa), in collaboration with the Directorate of sports and youth affairs on Saturday at Poriat ground, Calangute.

In the second minute Agiema wonderfully lobbed the ball over the helpless Little Flower custodian to give Holy Rosary the lead. Little Flower tried their best to draw level, but Holy Rosary held on for victory.
The following prizes were awarded: first goal scorer Agiema Borges (Holy Rosary), most promising player Adria Fernandes (Little Flower), best goalkeeper Nirmala Satarkar (Holy Rosary), goalkeeper of the tournament Rhea Noronha (Little Flower), and best player Vailanka D’Souza (Holy Rosary).

DSYA executive director Dr. Susanne De Souza was the chief guest and gave away the winner’s trophy and prizes, in the presence of GFA general secretary Alberto Colaco, GFA executive member Gajanan Kerkar and Little Flower principal Sr. Lumen Periera.

DR. AMBEDKAR FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT HELD FOR RURAL YOUTH IN GOA

SPORTS GOA: Goan Sports fan's favourite! 

Dr. Ambedkar Sports Club, Thane and kulmaiya Khadki were victorious in the 2nd All Goa Dr. Ambedkar seven-a-side boy’s rural football competition organized by DSYA at Peddem complex, Mapusa on Saturday.

In the U-19 competition Dr Ambedkar SC, Thane were first followed by Jolly Boys, Mulgao and Morjim Boys, Morjim took third place. Friend’s circle won the fair play award. 

The following individual prizes were awarded: best goalkeeper Pankaj Parwar (Shanta Durga Sc, Karapur), best defender Gopi Parwar (Jolly Boys, Mulgao), best midfielder Maha Bleshwar (Dr. Ambedkar Thane) and best forward Sarvesh Palgar (Jolly Boys, Mulgao).

In the U-16 competition Kulmaiya were first, Nuvyog SC, Mandrem were the runners up and Shanta Durga, Karapur finished third. Raathma SC, Assagao were awarded the fair play award

The following individual prizes were awarded: best goalkeeper Rakesh Mandrekar (Navyog SC, Mandrem), best defender Sunil Virnodkar (Navyog Sc, Mandrem), best midfielder Devendra Pednekar (Kulmaiya SC, Khadki) and best forward Santosh Halichandra (Kulmaiya SC, Khadki).

CALANGUTE CROWNED KINGFISHER GOA BEACH CHAMPS!

SPORTS GOA: Goan Sports fan's favourite

Calangute Association overcame Candolim sports club 6-2 in the finals of the Kingfisher Goa Beach football challenge at Calangute on Friday evening. The tournament was held in collaboration with the Goa Football Association (GFA).

With the music pumping and the strong flood lights gleaming a packed crowd made up of locals as well as domestic and overseas tourists visiting the state, witnessed a cracking tournament involving teams from village clubs from all over Goa.

It was no surprise that two local teams, egged on by their fans strong support reached the final. You could tell by the football dished out and by the buckets of sweat pouring from their jersey’s that they had only victory in mind.

In the end goals from Gauresh (3), Ashley (2) and Domnic settled the tie in Calangute’s favour. Harish and Kibber had reduced the margin for Candolim.

Earlier in the semi-finals Calangute had knocked out Panjim Footballers, while Candolim created the biggest shock by disposing of hot favourites Sporting Clube de Goa.

The two day festival was kicked off at a press conference, where former Indian Football captain Bruno Coutinho spoke passionately about Beach Football. Bruno who hails from Calangute and grew up playing football on the beach, felt that a regular League could be set up to promote the game as he believed there was an abundance of talent and enthusiasm for the sport.   

PORTUGUESE PROFESSEUR SPEAKS ON "SOCIOLOGY IN SPORT " IN GOA!

SPORTS GOA: Goan Sports fans favourite!

“We are rapidly moving to a culture of non-movement, where we prefer to use the escalator and elevators in everyday life rather than walk, which is of great concern,” stated Dr. Ana Luisa Periera addressing a workshop on “Sociology of sport”, at Vivanta by Taj, in Panjim, on Sunday.
She added that there should be compulsory a minimum of at least three hours of physical education for all school children per week to tackle health concerns such as childhood obesity, which she felt was greatly on the increase.

 In Portugal she mentioned that the physical education teacher plays an important role, because it is them who motivates and also recommends their students to attend sports club as part of extra curriculum activities if they are showing an interest for the sport.

Due to globalization, Dr. Ana felt that countries around the world are developing similar sub-cultures as the internet and modern technology is having a huge impact on youngsters and taking them away from traditional sports activities.“In the past young boy’s used to play soccer in the streets, ironically in Portugal today football academies are looking to replicate street football as part of their training, as the youth prefer to play Fifa games on their playstation.”

Dr. Ana elaborated on the “golden triangle of sport sociology”, which ecompasses professional sport, media and sponsors. She expressed that professional football clubs such as Manchester United use the media to promote their brand across the globe which makes it appealing for sponsors to invest in the sport, which in turn has a great influence on the sports a population takes up.

Using the example of her own country Portugal, she said that most youngsters want to play football because it is given extensive coverage in the news. Build up for matches can start five days in advance which attracts people from all groups of society. 

Dr. Ana also exposed the hidden curriculum that takes place in schools across the world, which is used to discriminate and maintain the status quo in society, which she believed had strong ramifications on the role of sports, as certain social classes are segregated from playing elite sports and sometimes sports equipment is expensive which deters people from taking up a certain sport.

The audience made up of strong personalities from sports in Goa felt that the topic on “sociology of sport” was a relevant one to the state and fully appreciated Dr. Ana’s contribution.
Fr Ian Figueredo, provincial, Salesian's Panjimand Konkan Province inaugurated the programme in the presence of VM Prabhuduesai, SAG'S Executive director,. Fr Wilfred Fernandes, administrator, welcomed. Dr Marie Raj principal, proposed the vote of thanks.

The workshops are being organised by Don Bosco Oratory in collaboration with SAG, GFA, Sporting Clube de Goa, and Daily Bread under the Memorandum of understanding with Porto Univerity's Department of physical education and Sports Sciences.

First published in Herald on Monday 6th February 2012.

AUSTRALIAN GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL COACHING CAMP HELD IN GOA!

SPORTS GOA: Goan Sports fans favourite!

The community grass roots football 5-day training camp under the aegis of the Goa Football Association in collaboration with Football Federation Australia came to an end on Friday at Duler stadium, Mapusa.
Twenty five coaches completed the coaching programme which started on 30th January, conducted by experienced Australian coaching instructor Mr. Norm Boardman. Goan coaches Gavin Araujo and Fausto Lobo assisted the Instructor.

The resource person’s slogan “better coaches, better football!” proved appropriate as the coaches were guided through football skilled themes such as first touch, running with the ball, 1v1, striking and focused mainly on exciting challenging game related sessions, rather than drills.

The acronym C.H.A.N.G.E I.T. (coaching style, how you score/win, area, numbers, game rules, equipment, inclusion, time) was continuously impressed on the coaches.

The participants were assessed individually on a specific topic and were given valuable pointers and the necessary tools to improve on their performance in the future. On the last day a small fun five-a-side tournament was arranged.

This was the second visit by the dedicated coaching instructor Norm Boardman to Goa in the last four months. In the future the GFA hopes that more students, players and club representatives interested in coaching come forward to avail of the unique youth development certified scheme.

Photo: participants on the course along with coach instructor Norm Boardman.
(Top row L to R) Alan Nazerath, Marcelino Pereira, Gajanan Kauthankar, Bibiano Fernandes, Anand Adkoukar, Terence D’Souza,  Mohan Parab, Mahesh Kambli, Agostinho D’Costa.
 (Middle) Laura Estibeiro, Aldrid Da Costa, Loyed Mascarenhas, Fausto Lobo (assistant instructor), Norm Boardman (coach instructor), Gavin Araujo (assistant instructor), Derick Christopher, Menino Afonso, Naresh Virnodkar, Zeena Soares.
(Bottom) Caetano Xaiver, Milagres Carvalho , Domnic Pereira, Ryan Cardosa, Purushottam Mapari, Saliya Shaikh, Jude Fernandes, Deggie Cardoza.
Leroy Almeida (not in picture)

First appeard at http://www.goa-fa.com/ on Saturday 4th February 2012.

Ben Johnson interview: Seoul to Soul

Former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson is currently in Goa, with the Tumbar brothers who have been training under him at his sports academy in Canada and are now currently on trial with I-League champions Salgaocar sports club. Aldrid Da Costa caught up with Ben at the Marriot hotel, Goa. The following are excerpts from the interview:

Was there a moment in your youth or a role model who made you decide you want to be an athlete?

My role model when I was younger was Jamaican sprinter Don Quarrie who took part in five Olympics and won the 200m gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. I have always had a passion for running but to reach the top I believe you are born with it and you have to work hard to sustain it.

What used to run through your mind before a big race?

I used to psyche myself up with self-talk. For instance before the 1988 Seoul Olympics I said “the time has finally come to show the world who the fastest man on the planet is.” I was also encouraged by the belief my parents placed in my ability.

Have you been to any major athletics event as a spectator since you left the sport?

No! I have no interest anymore in the sport; I read about it in the newspaper and research the latest training methods but that’s about it. I am more interested in football now, I follow the FIFA world cup but only when it reaches the last eight and I always support the underdog as they are willing to sacrifice anything to make themselves true winners.

How do you think your two protégés will adapt to Indian football?

My boys are used to European style football, which is to play the ball around until you find an opening and then go for the goal, but In India I have seen the ball being kicked into the air and hope for success. My players will have to study this method and adapt to the tactics as football is a team game.

You had trained Argentine footballer Diego Maradona in the nineties. What was that like?

I was training Diego for three weeks in 1997. Speed training for football is different from athletics as you are continuously changing direction so you have to train your muscles to adapt. Diego had great character and we got on well. I have not spoken to him for three years, but I here he is currently managing in Dubai, so I may pop into see him later in the year just to say hello.

Merelene Ottey is still competing at fifty do you have any plans to return to racing?

I turn 50 this year on December 30th and plan to throw a big party either in Brazil or Australia but have no plans on returning to the track. Last year I did a commercial in Japan where I ran 11.5 seconds without training, but afterwards my groin and pelvis ached for weeks, which told me a lot. Merlene has not taken a break from competing in the last 25 years, so as long as she stays in shape there is no reason why she can’t carry on.

100m and 200m world record holder Usain Bolt has set his sights on the 400m record. Is it possible?

 I think he can be successful at 400m by just training his speed endurance, although I believe he will have to select his events as he will not be able to win all at a single games. In sprinting it is about taking fewer strides to reach the finish line. The less time your feet stay on the ground the better it is. Usain is big and powerful and can apply greater pressure to the track which makes him successful.

Your great rival Carl Lewis has recently moved in to politics. Do you have any political ambitions?

I feel Carl is making a mistake. Politicians are all liars and only do things with self interest. I have no interest in politics, but you have to understand I am in the position I am because of politics, no one can avoid it.

Signing an autograph for a fan in the hotel lobby, he writes 100m 9.79 next to his name, which was his world record time and was subsequently wiped from the history books, but is clearly not forgotten by him. Ben has a self published book cleverly titled “Seoul to soul” coming out soon which he believes is an inspirational story which can help motivate people to deal with whatever life throws at them.