06/092014 …. On a high after their successful tour of the Netherlands, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) U-16 Kalyani Regional Academy Boys put up a spirited display against Kolkata giants East Bengal U-17 team in a hard fought 1-1 draw at the Kalyani B Stadium on Saturday (September 6, 2014).

Two first half goals on either end in the space of two minutes saw the match end in the balance for both the outfits. East Bengal surged ahead through Feroz Ali in the 20^th minute, Ali stabbing home from close.

But response from the 2013 SAFF Champions, who recently beat Dutch heavyweights FC Twente in their Holland sojourn, was immediate as a good move down the left resulted in the opponents handling the ball inside the area for the referee to point towards the spot.

Seasoned penalty taker Prosenjit Chakraborty – who scored thrice from the spot in a single Asian Champions Trophy tie – stepped up and made no mistake beating the keeper low to his right.

Change of ends saw so change of the scoreline as both teams went gung-ho for the elusive winner in the dying minutes.

These Academy Boys who form the core of the India U-16 National Team played in two tournaments in Holland, namely the 19th International RKTVC BVO Tournament for U-16 Boys where they famously beat FC Twente by a goal to nil in the second group match, and prior to that the International Youth Tournament (HSV Odin 59’) in Heemskerk in which they reached the cross finals.

In between they lost by only a goal to hallowed German outfit FC Schalke 04 U-16 counterparts in a friendly match, earning praise from their youth coach  Eren Yilmaz who was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the display.

03/09/2014 …. Eight members of the executive committee of the goa cricket association on Wednesday passed a resolution asking gca president vinod phadke to step aside from his post of gca president as mr phadke name was figured in the pendse commission report …

it may be noted that the state government-run Sports Authority of Goa had recently issued a show-cause notice to the Goa Cricket Association asking why it should not be de-recognized for failing to implement Justice Pendse Commission recommendations.

The commission, which has probed the infamous ticket scam reported during the 2001 India-Australia match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, had recommended that all the then members of the managing committee should be barred from managing the affairs of GCA who were named in the pendse report.

On Wednesday though certain decision were taken in the interest of the game of cricket, the meeting also had discussion where in the group led by dr salkar with eight members support out of fifteen passed a resolution asking mr phadke to step aside from his post

Dr salkar said that if mr phadke did not step down after the committee decision then whatever decision taken by mr phadke from now on in gca would be illegal as per constitution

Meanwhile gca president vinod phadke charged dr salkar of trying to take over gca presidentship from him by unwanted means

Phadke also stated that he had already asked for a 15 day time to sag to reply to the show casue notice sent by sag of de-recognizing goa cricket association

31/08/2014 ….. Marina English High School, Verna, one of Salgaocar Football Club’s two adopted schools, conducted the 3^rd edition of the Late Sir Pais and Sir Redkar Memorial All Goa U-17 inter-school tie-breaker at the Verna Church Ground on 27^th August.

The event was backed and supported by Salgaocar FC.

In all, 22 teams participated in the tournament and there plenty of individual and team prizes up for grabs. On an extremely wet and rainy day, proceedings got underway with a colourful and exciting opening ceremony put together by the students of the school.

Present to inaugurate the tournament were Peter Vales, Technical Director – Youth Development, Salgaocar FC, Adlear D’Cruz, Addl. Secretary – Youth Development at Salgaocar FC, Rev. Fr. Romano Rodrigues and Mrs. Vanda D’Souza, Headmistress of the school. Students were out in large numbers through the course of the morning to support the various participating teams.

 In an exciting final that went down to sudden death, the top honours on the day were bagged by Infant Jesus School, Colva whilst Our Lady of Health High School, Cuncolim had to be content with the Runners Up spot. Holy Spirit School, Margao won the third-fourth place play-off. The winners were awarded trophies, cash prizes and certificates. In addition, Infant Jesus School, took home a glittering rolling trophy. There were individual prizes for the Best Goal Keeper and the best shooter as well.

 Fr. Benjamin D’Silva was the Chief Guest at the finals and Rahul Rodrigues, Manager, Media and Marketing, Salgaocar FC, the Guest of honour. The dignitaries along with family members of the late Mr. Valerian Pais and Mr. Suresh Redkar gave away the prizes.

 Salgaocar’s senior team stars, Karanjit Singh, Rocus Lamare, Augustin Fernandes and Gilbert Oliveira were also in attendance to encourage the talented youngsters.

Panaji : Aug 29, 2014 …. The Government of Goa, through the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs has kept the draft Goa State Youth Policy open for perusal of all the concerned stakeholders and has requested the peoples’ representatives at various levels, Youth Clubs, Youth Organizations, NGO’s Educational Institution and the Youth of Goa in general to kindly go through the said Youth Policy and send in their valuable suggestions, if any, addressed to the Director, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Campal, Panaji – Goa by way of letter or email on email address ds******************@***il.com on or before September 15, 2014.

The draft Goa State Youth Policy is available on the Sports Department website www.dsya.goa.gov.in and the Goa Government Website www.goa.gov.in.  

27/08/2014 … The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of June (new Series 2004-05=100) 2014 at 121.5, was 4.3% higher as compared to June 2013..The cumulative growth for the period April- June 2014-15 over the corresponding period of previous year stands at (+) 3.2%.

 The total value of mineral prduction (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during June 2014 was Rs. 17615 crore. The contribution of : coal was the highest at Rs. 5882 crore (33%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 5706 crore, iron ore Rs. 2360 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1809 crore, lignite Rs. 490 crore and limestone Rs. 403 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in June 2014.

 Production level of important minerals in June 2014 were: coal 441 lakh tonnes, lignite 43 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2826 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 31 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1780 thousand tonnes, chromite 241 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 9 thousand tonnes, gold 131 kg., iron ore 117 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 224 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 102 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 151 thousand tonnes, dolomite 605 thousand tonnes, limestone 238 lakh tonnes, magnesite 22 thousand tonnes and diamond 3916 carat.

 The production of important minerals showing positive growth during June 2014 over June 2013 include ‘apatite & phosphorite’ (144.7%), ‘diamond’ (43.2%), ‘magnesite’ (25.2%), ‘manganese ore’(21.7%), ‘lignite’(14.6%), ‘coal’ (9.7%), ‘dolomite’ (8.4%), ‘iron ore’(7.7%), ‘limestone’ (5.9%), ‘bauxite’ and ‘gold’ (5.7%) each and ‘petroleum (crude)’ (0.1%).The production of other important minerals showing negative growth are: ‘chromite’ [(-) 0.7%], ‘natural gas (utilized)’ [(-) 1.5%], ‘lead conc.’ [(-) 19.3%], ‘zinc conc.’ [(-) 22.8%] and ‘copper conc.’ [(-) 23.5%].

27/08/2014 … Sporting Clube de Goa was visited by AFC inspectors who carried out checks as part of the AFC club licensing criteria, on Tuesday.

The experts took a close look at the training ground facilities at Don Bosco ground, Panjim before heading to the SCG headquarters in Campal to carry out interviews of the staff and coaches.

The criteria which was being assessed was Infrastructure, Sporting, financial, legal and personnel/administrative.

Head of AFC research and support services Steve Kim presented The AFC’s new regulations for participation in AFC competitions. He was accompanied by AFC Manager of Accounts Kevin Org and AFC Head of Club Licensing Mahajan Nair .

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar and I-League club licensing manager Roma Khanna were also present on behalf of the Aiff.

27/08/2014 … Super Sub Victorino Fernandes came off the bench to equalize as Sporting Clube de Goa drew 1-1 with Salgaocar Football Club in Gfa’s Goa Pro League, at Duler stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. Salgaocar were leading 1-0 at the interval.

Reigning Goa Pro League champions, Sporting Goa took time to find their groove, but when they finally did there was no looking back as Victorino caused all kinds of havoc with his pace.

Salgaocar moved the ball well in the first session and were rewarded when Pierre Douhou beautifully netted into the top corner with a strike from outside the box, just two minutes before the breather.

Changing over Sporting Goa was resilient as they sprayed the ball around positively and patiently. The introduction of Victorino of the bench for the Flaming Oranje increased the tempo.

Within ten minutes of coming on, Victorino did well to intercept a short back pass to the goalkeeper and stole in to bury the ball low for the Sporting Goa equalizer.

Sporting Goa continued to grow in confidence, but could not add to the score line. In the end both teams had to settle for a point each.

PHOTO: Sporting Goa’s Victorino (no.14) celebrates with team mates after netting the equalizer.

Panaji, August 27, 2014 … The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs invites proposals  from the State Level NGOs for the Central  Government Scheme of National Programme for Youth and Adolescent  Development.

The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is  implementing  the Scheme of National Programme for  Youth and Adolescent  Development (NPYAD). The updated guidelines for financial  assistance  under  the Scheme are available  on the website of the said Ministry at www.yas.nic.in. As per the existing  guidelines, proposals  are now solicited  from the State  Governments  and eligible  State Level NGOs for conducting programmes under  Promotion of National Integration, Promotion of Adventure and  Empowerment  and Development  of Adolescent  under the NPYAD Scheme.

The project proposals received from State  Level NGOs are to be in turn  recommended  by respective  State Governments  with applications for grant-in-aid for the year  2014-15 with all documents  as per the guidelines. All the proposals  of State Level NGOs  should be submitted to Directorate of Sports  and Youth Affairs latest by October 10, 2014.

The NGO should be registered under any of the following Acts for the last three years: The  Societies  Registration Act, of 1860 or,  Cooperative  Societies  Act, 1912 or,  Charitable and Religion Act, 1920 or, The Indian  Trust Act, 1982 or, Indian Companies Act, 1950 and the  Non-Government Organization (NGO) should be registered  under the Income Tax Act.

The NGO should have at least  three years of experience  in implementation of Youth  Development Scheme launched by the Government Department and at least  two years experience  in implementation of any of the Government Scheme.

For more details, contact Shri Laxmidas Mangeshker, Asstt. Phy. Education Officer, Directorate  of Sports and Youth Affairs, Campal, Panaji (Mobile No: 9822484874).

26/08/2014 …. Star players from Sporting Clube de Goa brought along a very special surprise when they paid a community visit to the Margaret Bosco Bal Sadan Orphanage, at Bastora on Monday.

Sporting Clube de Goa recently roped in the highly rated Sesa FA trio comprising of defender Ganesh Thakur, midfielder Glan Martins and forward Olvin Cardozo and they were all present for the visit to the orphanage along with Creson Antao and Pratesh Shirodkar.

The young wards from the shelter were excited as they ran to the vehicles to greet the players. After a brief interaction, the boys performed a small exhibition match.

The game ended goalless and moved to penalties, where the Flaming Oranje stars joined in the fun.

Fr Joe Fernandes and Fr Kim Fernandes who do an admirable job in looking after these happy youngsters were part of the penalty shootout also.

The day continued with refreshments, before the Sporting Goa stars presented the Goa Pro League Winners trophy to the youngsters whose eyes lit up, with delight. “You are all winners”, proclaimed Pratesh, before allowing the children to bask in the glory of lifting the coveted cup, which Sporting Goa had won last season.

“It was a nice feeling to visit these boys,” stated Glan. Team mate Ganesh was equally as excited. “If we can inspire these boys to work hard, it is a positive step,” said Ganesh.

“I joined Sporting Clube de Goa not only for their style of play, but also because the efforts they make to connect with the community in Growing Goa’s Game,” remarked Olvin. In the past year they have developed an academy, adopted Schools, organised grass root tournaments, besides conducting All Goa trials,” added Olvin.

Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Victor Fernandes was also present along with, Manager Angelo Albuquerque, General Secretary Edward Noronha and Head of Youth development Mahesh Lotlikar.

19/08/2014  …. Salgaocar FC have landed their Marquee player in the form of 27 year old Zambian International, Francis Kasonde. The 6 foot tall versatile defender was instrumental in guiding Zambia to the African Cup of Nations in 2012. He currently has 36 International Caps to his credit, having made his debut in 2005. Kasonde netted his first International goal in a 1-1 draw against Egypt and donned the colours of Hapoel Ra’anana A.F.C in the Israeli Premier League during the 2013-14 season.

  Kasonde, Salgaocar’s third foreign signing, comes a couple of days after the Greens renewed the contract of last season’s top scorer, Darryl Duffy. With Douhou Pierre roped in earlier in the year from Pune FC, the former I-League champions have ensured that all key positions across the spine have been entrusted to their experienced foreign signings.

  Kasonde has in the past played in several defensive positions, before being deployed as a defensive midfielder ahead of the African Cup of nations. He brings with him rich experience having previously played in Saudi Arabia and Egypt with the highlight of his club career being, finishing Runners Up to Inter Milan for Congolese Club, TP Mazembe at the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.

  “I am delighted to move to India and join a club with such rich history”, remarked the player after undergoing his medicals. “Winning trophies are extremely important in the career of every footballer and I hope to make a significant contribution to Salgaocar FC in their quest for silverware this season”, the player added.

  A visibly pleased coach Derrick Pereira had the following to say after a training session at the Duler Stadium. “Francis is a welcome addition to our squad and his experience of playing at the highest level should benefit us greatly at the heart of defence. I now have at my disposal almost an entire squad, which allows me to focus purely on the job at hand.”

  Coincidentally, Kasonde’s position is one that the gaffer made his very own during his playing days at the club.