SS attempting to woe Goans thro soccer The big bang entry into soccer at Navelim by SS is to be watched closely SS has not made dent in Goa politics , though it has been around for quiet some without opening any account Football and tiatr are a big draw for Goans and politicians have successfully exploited them In fact soccer is state sports.It started in a big way with Bandidkars gold trophy and then other prominent tournaments like Santosh Trophy .Now ISL seem to have taken roots in Goa.Many a thaw in political fields are taking place at soccer events.Politicians sponsor football and want to be chief guest and preside to be seen and heard too..Most of political meetings too comense with songs featuring renowned tiatirst The problem is that football now is a more a betting opportunity than sports promotion There is talk of match fixing.Anyypes of computations and permutations are avaiable for betting.Even at local village tournaments betting is openly patronized and draw crowds interested in gambling It is wide spread, the gambling instinct at all games and cricket takes the cake. Will SS popularize soccer for political ends or promote gambling and betting. With children being more occupied with mobiles as one of favourite pastimes and football fields are empty. GOA still is a popular State for Soccer.Now the focus is shifting to North East away from Bengal, Kerala, Punjab.
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
