The new ground set up at Chicalim could not have come at abetter time for the youth of the area. Their attempts to move up to the firstdivision of the football league will now get a boost as with this ground inplace there is bound to be an increase in the scope of the activities beingconducted by the Chicalim Sports Club. Started seven years ago, this clubconducts coaching camps during the holidays to help track talent in Chicalimand the surrounding areas.
The sports club has adopted the U-14 football team of theRegina Mundi school thus giving them a regular supply of fresh young talent.Ligor Monteiro, President of the club said that the club’s main objective wasto ensure that the youth in the area fulfilled their potential. Teams normallypractice a month prior to the commencement of the season.
The team participates in several village tournaments. Lastyear, the team reached the finals of two tournaments, the semi-finals of fourevents and the quarters of two tournaments. Ligor hopes the team would be ableto win a tournament in the near future. With a focus on the u-14 team, the clubspends a fair sum providing them with kits and ensuring that the kids staymotivated. In addition for the members of senior team fees are paid per match.
Funds are generated by organising various events like dramasas well as a cultural fair that comprises of nearly 180 stalls. All theseinitiatives help the club which spends approximately Rs. 3-4 lakhs every yearon sports activities. Players like Sumin Gorkar, Valencio Rodrigues, Rahul Naikhave emerged as players of real talent.
The intense nature of the training has helped playersReginald Coutinho and Joseph Siddi to get hired by Prayag United in Pune, the team that is competing in theI-league. Ligor hoped more players wouldemerge in the future and prove to be a source of motivation for the boysplaying in the junior team.
