Welvin Menezes aims to turnaround GFA’s fortunes
According to Michael Sage, “Experience is a lesson of the past to lessen the burden of the future.”
With the election of the President’s post scheduled on October 30, Goa Football Association (GFA) will be looking to bank on an experienced hand to revive its sagging fortunes. And there could be no better person than Jose Welvin Maximo de Menezes to steer the GFA ship.
Menezes, who is vying for the top post, is armed with a vast experience of sports administration under his belt, and knows the inner workings of GFA.
He has served as GFA Executive Committee Member for three terms (2010-14, 2014-18 and 2018-22). He has also been the Honorary General Secretary during 2016-18, and AIFF Players Status Committee Member (2012-16). He is currently Sporting Clube de Goa CEO (since 2019) and Goa Velha Sports Club President (since 2015)
One of the main issues that needs urgent attention at GFA is the financial aspect. With funds drying up and sponsors unwilling to come on board, Menezes is determined to bring about a turnaround.
“GFA needs to work in association with the state government for support. GFA and Goa Football Development Council could work together to promote youth football. There are a couple of sponsors who are ready to come on board if I get elected,” he said.
Menezes also said that GFA owns land at Duler which can be developed into a self-sustaining initiative.
“I have spoken with some stakeholders where we could develop it. Revenue generated could help GFA organise tournaments, etc. with its own funds. It is a long-term project which will serve GFA to be a self-sustainable organisation in the future,” Menezes said.
More importantly, Menezes says that if elected, he will work to get a clubhouse for GFA.
“The GFA House will be a reality. I will work to identify land where we can build this,” he said.
His biggest achievement, says Menezes, is streamlining various processes at GFA.
“During my time as the Hon. General Secretary of GFA, I had ensured that all records were maintained in both forms (manual as well as electronic). I had also ensured that players at the time of their initial registration with GFA were given their Players Licence which would be their identity throughout their playing career, unlike previously where Age Group Registration was done annually and players had different registration numbers during their Age Group playing days. This was an achievement by itself for me as my friends from the football fraternity helped me out to complete the registration in double quick time wherein we worked 24 hours non-stop to ensure that our target was achieved,” Welvin says proudly.
Menezes says that he has the support of football clubs. “Some GFA members and clubs had approached me to contest the election due to my vast experience. I want to tell the 180+ clubs to have trust in me. I had initated several measures during my tenure as secretary viz bringing discipline among players, restricting players to their respective villages during inter-village tournaments, etc. I can share my experience with the clubs,” he said.
As part of his vision to take football forward, Menezes said that youth development and welfare schemes for players and referees will be looked into.
“We need to promote youth development football. We have to start from the grassroots. Players, referees and clubs deserve recognition. We need to acknowledge them, maybe by having player of the month, club of the month and referee of the month awards. Also, GFA has a benelovent fund for players, but there is nothing for the referees. So I have plan to have a similar fund that can benefit referees post retirement,” he said.
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