PANAJI: The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) re-opened a full-fledged football training centre for girls in Valpoi on Monday.
Around 50 girls from all over Valpoi participated in the first day’s training session which was re-opened at VMC ground in presence of GFDC, chairman, Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Valpoi Football Development Centre head, Abdulla Khan, consultative committee members, Sayyad Sarfaraz, Nasir Khan, Inus Aga, Nagina Khan and Samreen Aga.
Addressing the gathering, the legendary Salgaocar SC goalkeeper and Arjuna awardee, Brahmanand Shankhwalkar expressed great joy at the progress of the centre and encouraged them to play well. “Discipline in football is very important. Apart from games you all must focus on studies too. If you play with dedication you may be a future star” said Padmashree, Brahmanand Shankhwalkar. He also thanked and appealed to parents to encourage the kids to come for regular practice and become great football names in the future. He mentioned that he would like to see the girls follow in the footsteps of famous footballers and bring up the name for themselves, for our state and country. Assuring full support to the centre, Sankhwalkar said that he will urge the Health Minister, and local MLA, Vishwajit Rane to allot the VMC ground to conduct sessions for the trainees.