GFA general body approves revised Private Football Tournament Rules

Panaji: A saga that lasted a year and affected several inter village tournaments, besides player license cards from January 2025, finally came to an end as the general body of the Goa Football Association (GFA) approved the revised Private Tournament Rules, as directed by the Arbitration Tribunal.

At the last extraordinary general body meeting in July last year, the clusters proposed in terms of the amendments to Salcete and Quepem talukas were not finalised. The EGM felt the need to authorise the executive committee to discuss and deliberate upon the concerns of the affected clubs and to arrive at a resolution

In the order, the Arbitration Tribunal noted that the GFA executive committee chose to go ahead and implement the revised Inter-Village Football Tournament Rules with effect from January, 2025, “notwithstanding that the concerns of the affected clubs had not yet been addressed, disregarding thereby the EGM resolution which categorically directed/ empowered the executive committee to render a finding/arrive at a conclusion only after concerns of the affected clubs were addressed.”

The GFA said they were forced to go ahead with the clusters since the uncertainty would be detrimental to several village clubs.

During discussions at the annual general body on Sunday, it was unanimously resolved that the matter be put to vote between the affected clubs. United Boys of Ambaulim, Guardian Angel SC, St. Anthony's FC, Assolda and Fr. Agnelo Sports and Cultural Club, Paroda resolved that they had no problem with the revised cluster. Chandor Club and Guirdolim Club voted against the motion.

The final inter village clusters approved are as follows: Cluster no 11 of Salcete taluka includes Guirdolim/Chandor and Quepem taluka will comprise of two clusters: Curchorem/Assolda/Xelvona/ Xeldem as the first cluster, and Ambaulim/Deao/Avedem/Paroda as the second cluster.

"I am happy that finally the issue has been resolved and we can now implement the rules from Monday,” said GFA president Caitano Fernandes. “There were issues created by a few disgruntled elements and the general body has rightfully shown them their place. Clubs are extremely happy with the good work that we are doing and a few issues here and there will not affect my resolve to work for the clubs.”