Colva: Salcete is the heartbeat of Goan football. No other taluka has as much passion for the sport as this little cluster of villages, which accounts for 44% of all professional minutes by Goan players in the top two tiers of Indian footballIn Salcete, Colva is hard to miss. It’s known for its beach, traditional fishing, and the waves of tourists it attracts. The village also has a strong football connection, as the first football club — Boys Social Club – was founded here in 1905.So much has now changed. Boys Social Club is no longer in existence, and although several other clubs have kept the game alive, the lone Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) ground here appears more useful to buffaloes and cows, rather than footballers.Instead of echoing with the sound of players kicking the ball around and spectators cheering, the ground is buried under tall weeds. The entrance gate is broken, while a large section of the fencing along the northern periphery is in danger of collapse.“Despite being one of the most suitable venues for football, the ground is presently in a pathetic condition,” said former footballer and founder-member of St. Anthony’s Sports Club, Colva, Giovanni Santimano. “It is sad that the ground is prepared for big shows and events whenever required, but the same attention is not given to football.”Like Santimano pointed out, the ground is put to greater use for music festivals than for the sport it intended to promote. Football activities, village tournaments and other sporting events cannot be organised at this facility.“The SAG should take the initiative to improve the ground and its facilities. Better infrastructure will encourage more youngsters to take to football. Organising regular coaching camps, particularly for children in the under-10, under-12 and under-14 age groups, will go a long way in developing young talent, if proper grounds and facilities are made available,” said coach Clinton Pacheco.Goa does not have of shortage of football infrastructure. There’s one ground in almost every village across the state, but poor maintenance, lack of manpower, and financial constraints continue to keep several sporting facilities either underused or completely out of action.The SAG is aware of the ground condition at Colva and executive director Ajay Gaude has assured to act.“I am aware of the ground condition and the deteriorating fencing at Colva,” Gaude told TOI. “I will personally inspect the facility, following which a tender will be floated either to repair the existing fence or replace it altogether, depending on its condition.”Gaude said SAG begins weed-clearing activities after the monsoon, so grounds across Goa will be cleaned and made usable.Colva panchayat member Pio Furtado said the deteriorating condition of football infrastructure reflected a larger decline in the organisation and quality of inter-village football tournaments in Goa.“Football was once considered the backbone of Goa but that no longer seems to be the case. There is a growing preference among local politicians to use public grounds to promote fests and festivals, rather than encourage sporting activities. Colva is an example of this malady,” said Furtado, requesting SAG to consider developing artificial-turf facilities that could allow footballers to train and compete throughout the year.
