07/05/2015 … Sporting Clube de Goa will conduct their 3rd Grassroots Football Festival at Don Bosco ground, Panjim, on Sunday 10^th May 2015, from 9.30am onwards.

 This Grassroots festival is an advanced commemoration of AFC Grassroots day which falls on 15^th May.

 “Grassroots Football is all about playing football in a fun-filled environment. It provides the base for the football pyramid,” stated Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Victor Fernandes.

 This time the festival is open to boys and girls. Youngsters who have taken part before are also welcome.

 Sporting Goa conducted a Grassroots festival in the North and South of Goa this season where a total of thirty Schools were invited and over 350 wards took part.

 Due to popular demand, Sporting Clube de Goa has now thrown the gates open to boys and girls in the 8 to 12 age group who would like to participate in the exciting festival.

 “It is proven that small-sided games give young players more touches on the ball which will help improve their technique. I hope the youth of Goa come forward to participate as these opportunities were not available when we were younger,” remarked Sporting Clube de Goa Head Coach Mathew Costa.  

 There is no fee for participating. Registration closes at 9.20 am on Sunday. Those children born between 01-01-2003 and 01-01-2006 are eligible to participate.

 For further details contact SCG Head of Youth Development Mahesh Lotlikar (9420166090), SCG Youth Manager Anthony Vaz (8390178364), or the SCG office (0832-223 0233/0244).

Panjim ::: 13/04/2015 … Salgaocar Football Club in association with the King’s school organised a football festival to mark the beginning of the coming together of the two in a mutually beneficial relationship. At a colourful opening, Ms. Swati Salgaocar, Vice President – Youth Development, Salgaocar FC, Mr. Adlear D’Cruz (General Secretary, Salgaocar FC) on behalf of the Vasco based club and Mr. Melvin Pereira (Chairman, The King’s School) and Mrs. Ligia Pereira (Director, The King’s School) representing the institute, unfurled The King’s School and Salgaocar FC’s flags respectively. The jerseys of the school’s various teams for the upcoming year were also unveiled on the occasions and shall sport the Salgaocar FC logo. The King’s School will be the club’s third partner school, with Loyola High School and Marina English High School being the other 2. 

Salgaocar FC, founded in 1956 by the late Mr. V.M. Salgaocar with the objective of developing Goan football and promoting local talent has had Youth Development at the core of it’s philosophy and not surprisingly therefore, the club’s setup is widely regarded as one of the best in the country and has come in for praise from several quarters, including the Asian Football Confederation.

The King’s School is one of Goa’s premier institutions and first full-fledged CBSE (New Delhi) affiliated English medium co-educational Senior Secondary School in Goa, located in Sao Jose de Areal, Salcette. It has a sprawling campus and provides excellent education from Nursery to Senior Secondary level. The goal is to provide students with a holistic education that will not only make learning fun and enriching, but will hold them in good stead in the years to come.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Swati Salgaocar remarked, “We are lucky to have found in The King’s School a like-minded partner who shares our vision of holistic development from a young age. For all the budding footballers present here – whether they go on to choose football as a profession or pursue it for recreation, the qualities of teamwork, discipline and resilience will hold good throughout their lives and we are pleased that these are the qualities that are stressed upon here at The King’s School by its Management and Staff alike.”

Salgaocar FC shall assist with the football development of the school’s teams and will hope the success with it’s other partner schools can be replicated. The club’s entire first team, players and technical staff alike including Head Coach Derrick Pereira, were all in attendance at the event, and were seen interacting with the kids through the evening.

“Our partnership with Salgaocar Football Club highlights our emphasis on fitness and sports for our students. We are glad to have their expertise and the opportunities they would provide our talented students. At The King’s School, we are wholeheartedly committed to an all-round development of our students and always want to offer them with the best we can”, exclaimed Mr. Melvin Pereira.

Additionally, the kids from the school will also be taken to the Club’s home games in the I—League, next of which is scheduled on April 19^th against Sporting Clube de Goa.

Over 250 children and parents were in attendance at The King’s School on Saturday to participate in the festival that witnessed fun and games aplenty.

Mr. Rahul Rodigues, Media and Marketing Manager at Salgaocar FC proposed the vote of thanks.

04/04/2015 …. The Rs 2 crore project plans to take up close to 18 works at the site.

• Beautification Project proposed to be completed by 2015 year end

Goa’s Bubble Lake also popularly known as Budbude or Budbud or Budbudyachi Tali will soon get a facelift.

Mega plans for beautification of Goa’s well-known bubbling lake are in the offing by Goa Tourism to make this hinterland site the State’s hot spot for domestic and international tourists.

This place which is known for its stunning natural beauty is situated in the tranquility of Goa’s village, Netravali in Sanguem taluka, South District. This place is around 80 kilometers from Panaji via Margao.

The temple of Lord Gopinath situated near the lake is also the main reason for this place to have sacred value though the original idol once present in this temple somewhere in the 14th Century AD is now preserved in the Goa state Museum at Patto, Panaji.

The name Budbud is derived from the constant bubble coming out from the bottom of lake to the surface of the water. There are various legends about this. Some people feel it’s the miracle of the local deity, but it could also be due to the moss growing inside the lake.

The actual reason is not yet known by anybody. Thousands of tourists visit this place for the enchanting sound of the bubbles and a dip in the waters known for their medicinal value.

The bubbles at the Budbudyachi Tali are known to strangely increase in intensity if one claps loudly. It seems to respond to the noise made near it. The tank in form of laterite masonry has a flight of steps all around leading to the sacred tank. A huge box-shaped laterite pedestal is located at the center of the tank.

Goa Tourism’s plan for beautifying the bubbling lake and Devasthan is to align the approach pathways along the axis of the temple and bubble lake which is currently lost in the existing paradigm. The proposal includes widening of the existing approach road with new street lamps and parking for vehicles along the road to the land belonging to the Devasthan.

A new laterite masonry ledge wall is planned around the existing step well with a glass railing. A new bathing pool will be located near the step well for locals and tourists to take a dip which will have waters diverted from the overflow of the step well therein. The beautification proposal also includes retaining walls masonry sitting ledges, a gazebo, site lighting and traffic signages.

“This mega beautification plan for Budbudyachi Tali will begin shortly and Goa Tourism is focusing strongly on this project which is right in the heart of the State’s hinterlands,” said Tourism Minister Shri. Dilip Parulekar.

The Rs. 2 crore project will take up close to 18 works and is expected to be completed by this year end.

“Goa’s hinterland tourism is gaining strength and beautification of the enigmatic Bubbling Lake will add more attraction and spiritual fervor as well,” said Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Shri. Nilesh Cabral.

Goa Tourism plans to commence work on the project shortly and complete it at the earliest.

Panaji: april 2, 2015 … Fresh applications are invited from eligible Sportspersons in indigent circumstances for being considered for release of Financial Assistance under the scheme grant Financial Assistance to the Meritorious Sportsperson.

 The Government of Goa is pleased to grant financial assistance to the meritorious sportsperson of yesteryears, presently in indigent circumstances.  An amount Rs.8,000/-, Rs.5,000/- and Rs.3,000/- for International, National and State Level respectively is being granted.

 The necessary application forms and guidelines may be obtained from the A.P.E.O.(Sports Section) at the Directorate of Spots & Youth Affairs and offices at PJN Stadium Fatorda, Chicalim Sports Complex, Vasco, Office at Chaudi, Canacona, Sports Complex, Sanguem, Sports Complex, Borimol, Quepem, Sports Complex, Ponda, Sports Complex Sawalwada Pernem, Multipurpose Hall, Sanquelim, Sports Complex, Ponda Office at Valpoi, Sattari and Sports Complex Peddem, Mapusa, during working hours.  Duly filled in application may be submitted to this department on or before April 15, 2015, positively.

21/02/2015 … Salgaocar FC will look to return to winning ways when they take on debutants Kalyani Bharat FC in a Round 7 clash of the Hero I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune tomorrow. With 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, the Greens have had a mixed bag of results thus far, but yet sit only 5 points adrift of league leaders Royal Wahingdoh, a fair indication of the competitiveness of this year’s edition.

 Salgaocar got their campaign off to a relatively slow start having scored just 2 points from the first 3 outings, but wins against Sporting Clube de Goa and Kingfisher East Bengal catapulted them to the top 4 in the table. Despite the reverse in the last encounter against Mumbai FC, coach Derrick Pereira sounded confident ahead of the game against the I-League newbies. “We have put the match against Mumbai FC behind us and are looking forward to the clash against Bharat FC,” the gaffer remarked.

“We have got better with every passing game and I do believe we have done fairly well to accumulate the points we have with key players missing through injury during the initial rounds,” he added.  Derrick was off course referring to the absence of Scottish striker Darryl Duffy who returned against East Bengal to make a telling contribution. Saran Singh, the other key man in Derrick’s scheme of things however, continues to be sidelined through an abdominal strain but should recover in time for the Greens’ next fixture against Shillong Lajong to be played in Goa on March 3.

 Salgaocar fans will be delighted though at the news of keeper Karanjit Singh returning to full fitness after a prolonged lay-off due to injury. The shot stopper suffered a muscle tear in training ahead of the Federation Cup and has been out of action since. His team mate in the Indian National side, Subrata Paul, who was signed by the Greens as cover, has been outstanding in goal and already won a couple of ‘Man of the Match’ awards in the 11 games he has played for the club thus far.

Bharat FC on the other hand have managed just 2 points from their opening 4 encounters, including a 1-1 draw away to East Bengal in their last outing. It should be a compelling contest as both sides look for 3 points to ensure they stay in the hunt, albeit still fairly early stages in the league.

01/01/2015 …. Sporting Clube de Goa came from behind to overcome Royal Wahingdoh 2-1 in the Federation Cup organised by the AIFF at PJN Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday.

Sporting Goa trailed by a goal at half time which was scored by Wahingdoh’s Jackichand Singh in the 28^th minute of play.

 Changing over Sporting Goa came out all guns blazing and pulled a goal back through Anthony Wolfe who managed to shoot past a sea of defenders, after Cajetan Fernandes swung in a dangerous looking corner.

With two minutes left on the clock, left back Biswajeet Saha popped up in the box to direct Mauvin Borges low cross into the net to find the winner for the Flaming Oranje.

28/12/2014 …. Sporting Clube de Goa reinforced their squad ahead of their opening Federation Cup match, by signing experienced goalkeeper Sandip Nandy and left wing back Biswajit Saha, at the SCG Headquarters in Panjim on Sunday.

Biswajit joined from Atletico de Kolkata with whom he helped win the ISL tournament, while Sandip was part of the Kerala Blasters side which finished as runners up in the same competition.

Despite tasting glory recently, Biswajit is very hungry to do well and is willing to put in the hard work and discipline needed to hold down a first team place.

“I came to Sporting Clube de Goa because of the fantastic facilities and I am fully motivated to succeed here,” remarked the 27 year old Biswajit.

Former India International, Sandip turns 40 next month and believes he has a lot more to offer. He has played in the Indian national league since 1999, representing a whole host of top Indian clubs along the way.

“I wanted to play for an ambitious club and I am very happy to have joined Sporting Clube de Goa,” stated Sandip.

Panaji: December 26, 2014 …. The Presentation Ceremony of the Goa State Cultural Awards of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa will be held on Sunday January 4, 2015, at 4.30 p.m. at the Institute Menezes Braganza hall at Panaji-Goa. Shri Shyam Benegal, famous Indian Film Director and Script Writer will be the Chief Guest.

               Directorate of Art and culture, every year presents State Cultural Awards to eminent Goan personalities who have made extraordinary contribution in their  respective field of Art and Culture and have dedicated their life for   the promotion and preservation of the same thereby setting an example for the youth in the state.

               The Department will honour 15 such eminent personalities in the field of Art and Culture with the prestigious ‘Goa State Cultural Award’ for their contribution and achievements in their respective art forms like Music Drama/Tiatr, Folk Art, Bhajan, Kirtan, Craft, Literature, Painting etc. The awards that will be conferred for the year 2013-14.

               Recipients of ‘Goa State Cultural Award 2013-14 are  namely Shri Prabhakar Vithal Gaonkar in the field of Theatre (Drama), Late Shri Balwant Baburao Shirgaonkar in Theatre (Drama), Smt. Antonette Mendes in Theatre (Tiatr), Smt. Josefina Dias in Theatre (Tiatr), Shri Lourenco Fernandes in Theatre (Tiatr),  Shri N. Shivdas in Literature, Fr. Vasco Rego in Literature, Shri Jess Fernandes in Literature, Smt. Maria Aurora Couto in Literature, Shri Vithal Khandolkar in Music, Shri Chandrakant Vernekar in Music, Shri Narayan Arjun Haldankar in Bhajan, Shri Ajit Paiginkar in Folk Art, Shri Mahendra Chodankar, in Fine Art, Shri Shivanand Khedekar in Fine Art.

               The Awards to individuals comprises of a cash of Rs. 50,000/- each, a certificate, Shrifal, Nataraj Replica and Shawl. The Best Cultural Institution award for the year 2013-14 will be conferred on Shree Naguesh Mahalaxmi  Prasadik Natyasamaj Ponda-Goa. The award consists of a Memento and cash purse of Rs. 1.00 Lakh.

               Directorate of Art and Culture hereby kindly request all the artists, members of the Art Institutions and Art lovers to be present on the occasion to witness the ceremony.

Panaji;  Dec 24, 2014 … Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha has extended her hearty  greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa, especially the Christian brethren on the joyous occasion of Christmas.

 The Governor in her message has said on this auspicious occasion, we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and brotherhood. It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to promote the values that Lord Jesus Christ professed and practiced for the benefit of humanity.

 The Governor further said India is a secular country, where various faiths thrive in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. It should be the earnest endeavour of all the people to celebrate religious and spiritual occasions with cooperation, friendship and mutual understanding and thus enhance the quality of social life. On the auspicious eve of Christmas, let us rededicate ourselves to live together as members of one family and work for the greater peace, glory and progress of the nation, in keeping with the eternal message of Lord Jesus Christ, the Governor added.