House congratulates Joaquim on becoming GFA President

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Panaji, July 17 (UNI) Cutting across party lines, the Goa Legislative Assembly today unanimously adopted a motion congratulating urban development minister Joaquim Alemao on his becoming president of the Goa Football Association besides pleading for assistance to encourage the sport in a big way.

In this regard, Chief minister Digambar Kamat assured all assistance to different sports clubs, particularly football besides implementing the sports policy to promote all sports activities.

He said he did not hesitate taking ''guidance'' of speaker Pratapsinh Rane, with 15 years experience as Chief Minister for the ''smooth functioning of the State administration.'' Moving the congratulatory motion as soon as the House met today, Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar wished that GFA would take all steps to encourage Goan footballers to achieve fame at the international level.

The members including Save Goa Front president Churchil Alemao sought liberal government assistance to all the professional clubs besides strengthening infrastructure and developing grounds at par with cricket.

Ms Victoria Fernandes (Congress), who herself is the president of the Boxing Association of Goa, sought encouragement to football and all other sports including boxing without step-motherly treatment.

''Football talent is in the blood of Goans and it should be encouraged even among women,'' she said.

Francis D'Souza wanted encouragement to all sports activities in Goa forthwith along with football. Efforts to encourage ''aam admi (commonman) in sports be initiated'', he said.

Mouvin Godhino (Congress) urged the government to extend assistance to all clubs by rising above petty differences so that they were ranked in the top league.

''The government should act as a 'catalyst' like the industrial houses besides giving more marks to sportspersons in schools and colleges to encourage sports,'' he said.

Health Minister Viswajit Rane favoured constitution of Football Academy and restoration of Campal Football Stadium in the capital besides encouraging women.

Revenue Minister Jose D'Souza pleaded for giving more ''marks'' to sportspersons in educational institutions as an incentive.

Damodar Naik (BJP) said cricket should not grow at the cost of football in Goa which could become centre of excellence if encouraged in the right direction.

He said Nehru Football Stadium at Fatorda should be used for only football, not for cricket matches in due course of time.

Thanking the House for the congratulatory motion, Joaquim Alemao required the government for encouraging football in Goa where 148 clubs exists, surviving on minimal financial assistance.

''The government,'' he said, ''should take immediate steps for constituting the much waited Football Academy and the football stadium at Campal.'' UNI BM KU SAM DB1852

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