After the successful commencement of the men’s football in the State, the Goa Football Association (GFA) has now turned their focus on hosting the 4th GFA Vedanta women’s league which is scheduled to kick off from February 21.
The league will have a new champion as all the four teams from the 2019/20 withdrew from the competition. However, this year the league will have five teams also marking the return of big-wig FC Goa. The new clubs besides the Gaurs are Futebol Club of YFA, Goa United Sports Academy, Sirvodem Sports Club and Compassion Football Club.
GFA President Churchill Alemao stated:
“We are pleased to announce the GFA Vedanta Women’s League will begin from February 21. The fourth edition will have five teams battling for the title which is likely to be played at two venues.”
“We would like to thank Vedanta and Sesa Community Development Foundation and their officials – Arjun Parab, Leena Verenkar and Melroy Moura for supporting and helping us organise this league for the fourth year. Last year, we couldn’t have it due to the Pandemic, but I am glad the sponsors came forward in supporting and helping us promote the women’s football in the State,” she added.
It is learnt that the clubs were given their choice to pick the players of their preference and they have been registered under the Central Registration System of All India Football Federation. Alemao also assured to conduct the league maintaining all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout the league and players safety wouldn’t be compromised at all.
“We have a lot of plans for women’s football. We believe in equality. If men’s football resumed, there was no question about resuming women’s football. We have plans of holding technical training, counselling sessions, self-defence, career options, various awareness campaigns, which we will start shortly after the competition,” added Alemao revealing further plans for women and girls.
The winners of GFA Vedanta League will get an opportunity to represent Goa at the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in April-May 2021. “I am happy our association under the leadership of Churchill Alemao managed to conduct the league despite facing all the hardships. Our Association treats both men’s and women’s football equally and I am happy that the association along with the stakeholders have worked together in getting the league organised,” explained GFA Senior Vice President Lavinio Rebello.
“We need to have a new vision for women’s football starting with youth. We have to ensure that there is continuity in the sport and further linkages with Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Goa University should be done to promote women’s football,” Rebello further added.
“Our State women have also made us proud by representing India and we cannot write them off. We will ensure they will get required support and we will have more women playing for our Country.”
Finally, the winners will get a cash prize of Rs 75,000 while the second-placed and third-placed teams will have to settle for Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
WOMEN IN FOOTBALL: THE GLASS CEILING 