http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=031310
Goan football organisation needs a revolution: Morais NT Sports Reporter Margao, March 12 "Goan football needs a revolution in organisation and needs to develop more international contacts to prosper as a football state for better results in the future," stated Prof Francisco Pina de Morais, football expert from University of Porto, Portugal, who is currently in Margao to conduct a special three-day orientation course on "training and teaching football in schools" for physical education teachers. The programme is being jointly conducted by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Goa Football Association (GFA ) at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, here. Prof Morais, who is being assisted by Daniel Barreira, fellow expert and football coach from Portugal, who is presently overseeing the GFA youth development, said, he was personally moved by the tremendous enthusiasm shown by the 50-odd participants who gathered at the stadium today. "It has been a pleasure working with the colleagues. Their enthusiasm is evident and I am sure there will be positive results for young footballers of Goa, under their guidance," Prof Morais noted about the physical education teachers from secondary and higher secondary schools of South Goa attending the programme aimed at educating the coaches at school level. The Portuguese expert added that the participants were responsive and seemed highly motivated for the job. "I am sure once they finish the course, they will be able to give back more to the school children to help them evolve as better footballers and future material for state and country. Their journey begins right here," he added. He also said he was happy to be back in Goa on his second visit and that he felt at home in Goa unlike many other countries he had visited. The professor also appreciated the good work being done by the Goa Football Association in its endeavour to unite the two countries sharing a common connection with football and Portuguese being the essential bonding between the two under the MoU. He also acknowledged the fact that age-group footballers from Goa have been sent for training to Portugal, which is a very good thing to happen. "I am happy to know of the exchange and it is definitely a positive move and the one which will produce results," stated Prof Morais while speaking to The Navhind Times. Coach Daniel also spoke about the great potential Goan kids would have in the future if they are taught the basics of football right at U-10, U-12 levels. "Schools are an expansive base and hold a great potential to train children in football basics," he added. "Schools are first phase of football development as children need to be taught basics in football at that level so that they can imbibe general information on the game. If we have good teachers in football at the school level then, for sure, football will improve," Daniel remarked. "Schools and village form the base. We need children from these levels to be given an opportunity to play and enjoy the game so that they are equipped with the basics. When they move to clubs or leap to the higher levels, they can concentrate on specifics better," Daniel added. "At times we are uncertain what the future of a player is but at best we can give him an opportunity and allow them to learn football basics in school so that he/she has a better chance to prosper," the Portuguese expert added. He also highlighted that footballers with better info on basics of the game can serve clubs better as their needs are specific and then it becomes much easier for them to improve on game areas such as defense, attack or midfield. Earlier, former Olympian Mr Furtunato Franco was the chief guest at the inaugural. Dr Susana de Sousa, director of sports and youth affairs, Mr Savio Messias, GFA secretary, Mr V M Prabhudesai, SAG ED were also present. The programme dealt with game situations, complex and simple, how to conduct warm-ups for children and also stressed on improving their motor abilities. It was taught that winning is not the ultimate objective but growing within the game to emerge as better players was highly essential for self development.
