Prestigious Bandodkar Gold Trophy is back

The Goan Network

Panaji

The legacy of the State sport is set to make a welcome return to Goa after the revival of the historic Bandodkar Gold Trophy which is to commence from May 20 onwards. Salgaocar SC take on Goa Velha SC at Duler Stadium in Mapusa and Churchill Bros face Pune FC at Navelim football grounds simultaneously in the opener on May 20 at 4.15 pm. The finals will be played under floodlights at the Duler Stadium on June 1 at 6.30 pm.

Passion is set to be reignited and nostalgia revisited when six home teams and two outstations teams compete for the coveted trophy in the invitational U-21 Men’s football tournament to take place at Duler and Navelim from Friday.

The tournament will see participation from six Goan teams – Salgaocar FC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC, Goa Velha SC and Snows Football Academy and two top football academies from Pune – DSK Shivajians and Pune Football Club.

With the promise that with the tourney is to be an annual fixture this time, the GFA is stepping in to organise the Bandodkar Gold Trophy football tournament with the able support of the illustrious Bandodkar family, looks like an exciting prospect.

But in the years to come, they would look at other corporate pitching to regain the rich legacy and spirit of the age-old tournament and make it better and more competitive.

The final of the tournament will be played at the newly installed floodlights at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa with the winning team walking away with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and the runners-up taking home Rs 75,000. The Man of the Match for each game would be presented with Rs 5,000.

It is been given to understand that Goa was anxiously looking forward to host its first major tournament – the Santosh Trophy – after it was affiliated to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The AIFF was not sure of Goa’s capabilities to organize such a major event and instead asked the GFA to first organize an All India football tournament.

This was the acid test of GFA’s organisational abilities. GFA turned to the then Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar, with a request to help them. And being a sports aficionado, late Dayanand Bandodkar agreed without batting an eyelid and donated the trophy. The first Bandodkar tournament thus became the platform, on which GFA showcased its organisational skills.

The AIFF was impressed and offered Goa the opportunity to host the Santosh Trophy in 1972 while the first edition of the Bandodkar Gold Trophy was held in 1970 was won by Leaders Club, Punjab while the last edition was won by Salgaocar SC.

Speaking at the media briefing, GFA president Elvis Gomes, said: "The Bandodkar Gold Trophy started in 1970 and the last edition of the said tournament was held back in the mid 90s. It then went into the vault. This (GFA) committee brought out the trophy again with the sole intention to reignite the spark that inflamed passion so much so that it gave a chance to so many players and teams to shine. Because of the long gap since its last edition, the present generation is not aware of its legacy. We want to revive the tournament continuing from where we had stopped."

Elvis added that the Duler football ground has an artificial turf which is extensively used. "It has also got floodlights which are in its final stages of illuminating the ground. It will be befitting that the Bandodkar Gold Trophy will be the first to glitter under the floodlights (at the finals)," he said.

Former GFA secretary Antonio Botelho was there along with three other signatories when the trophy was deposited at Central Bank, Mapusa. "We, at GFA are thankful to Sameer Kakodkar and his entire family to rally behind this revival. Since there was no proper slot to organise a senior tournament, we decided to bring out an U-21 tournament with 6 Goan teams and 2 teams from Pune. A lot of international teams have shown interest in participating in the tourney and it is especially easier for international U-21 top flight teams. Though there is no tourney in existence at the U-21 level in the country, with the initiative shown by reviving this tourney, big names like Liverpool United and sides from the African continent have shown great

interest to bring their U-21 sides for the said tournament in the future,” said Botelho.

Added Sameer Kakodkar from the erstwhile Bandodkar family, “The family is very delighted that we can support the tourney with the trophy belonging to GFA. My mother, Shashikala is delighted that the tournament is being revived. We wish GFA best of luck for its success and we are happy that (Antonio) Botelho is here. I have known him since a child and he is a pillar for the Bandodkar Gold Trophy," Kakodkar acknowledged.

Rahul Rodrigues, Co-founder and MD, Zest Concepts also spoke. GFA vice-president (north) was also present.