Followers of the Dubai Goan Soccer may have noticed there is a subtle change in the report of the final in the Khaleej Times. I did not check the semi-final reports. The words "organised by United Goans" that appeared in earlier reports were dropped. Obviously, it was lie that the tournament was organised by such a body. I am told it is organised by a triumvirate (perhaps a trident or, to use an Hindi word, trishul). Maybe there is also a fourth one. Like the feared trident, these three are sharp. See how cunningly they drop the words "United Goans". So technically who organises the tournament? As Cedrico mentioned here, Gulf News do not want to cover the tournament as the paper doubts the legality of the tournament. I feel sad that Khaleej Times had to be spoon-fed the reports. The reporter, Edwin Ashie-Nikoi, often disappears in the middle of the last game, and if I remember correctly I saw him walk off the ground at half-time or before that or maybe a little after that. Instead of the reports appearing the next day, they appear a day late. If the reporter was present at the semi-final between Vaxim Divar and Cansaulim, how come he did not report the dressing room incident where Nelson Silveira caught referee Menino by the shirt? Giving the benefit of doubt that the reporter was there, why such an incident then not mentioned in the report? I believe the reports are written or all details supplied by the organisers to the reporter. Check the final report and see how sketchy it is considering the game was fast and had a good amount of goalmouth action. No mention that Cansaulim, despite being one man short, outplayed Benaulim in the second half. It was the same case last year with the rebel tournament where the reports were written by the organisers and sent to some daily papers. Since it is now clear that there is no such body as "United Goans", it would be good on the part of team managers to demand a meeting with the so-called organisers and ask for clarification. Even the big write-up in Xpress, a tabloid from the Gulf News organisation, failed to mention the history of how the tournament started. It was superficial and lacked depth. The write-up must have pleased the organising committee no end. Those present at the final may have heard Bonnie say a "thank you" to goannetters for writing "upside down" on this forum. Perhaps, Bonnie reads Goannet standing on his head ;-) When the Goan Cultural Society was running the tournament the money was at least going into the association's coffers. It is another matter that there was emblezzement of sports funds, as alleged by some of the members, and the association failed to take acation against those in charge of running the tournament. Now the money is going into individual pockets. I was told by those close to the organising committee that the tournament is not making money. Tell that to the shippies. From my guessestimate, there was a crowd of at least 4000 at the final. Even children were charged. I wish the organisers had left school-going children free-of-charge at the final. I belive the children were let in free in the other stages of the tournament. To clear all doubts, there must be transparency on the part of the organisers. After all, it was the team managers who rebelled agains the GCS and made it possible to hold this tournament. They are, in reality, the stakeholders. And, as such, they must be made known of the financial records of the tournament. If the tournament is making money, it would be great if the entry fees for the teams are waived aside. Teams do spend lot of money, even though many teams find sponsors, and time to prepare and participate in the tournament. If no entry fee is levied, the money saved by a team can be used for providing team players with better facilities. In India, big tournaments "invite" teams to participate. Big-name teams enhance the prestige of the tournament besides drawing crowds. Obviously, the teams drew good crowds from the quarter-final stage at the Iranian Club. Why are the team managers, excluding those who are part of the organisers, afraid of asking the organisers questions regarding finance? Why are the team managers letting the organisers take them for granted? Is it that the team managers are weak-kneed? See how a bunch of good samaritans fought for the referee and brought the members of the "organising committee" to their knees. I have learnt that the referee has been paid his promised amount. It is time the team managers adopt straight-talking tactics. Take the crucial step and see how the scenario unfolds. A couple of years ago, I suggested to someone in the organising committee that a combined Dubai Goan team could go to Toronto to play exhibition matches with Toronto's combined Goan Soccer League team. But one team said it would go on its own. However, for different reasons the team could not go. Maybe the money generated from the tournament, besides getting some sponsors, could help in putting a combined team. The team could go to Toronto during August when the Goan Soccer League is midway and there is also the two-day Viva Goa event. A five-a-side inter-village tournament is held during the Viva Goa event. I had promised to help out with getting visas for the team and also provide free hospitality. If a team or combined team is still interested, I could check with the Toronto organisers. Eugene Correia
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