MARGAO
Antonio Pango has admitted that there is a big task ahead of him after being re-elected as the vice-president (South) of Goa Football Association (GFA). Pango, who is the president of Snow's Football Academy, has been elevated to the key position in the football body for the third time.
"I have specific plans to develop the football scene in the South Goa. We have to sit together, find out the shortcomings and work on these so that we can march forward to new heights,” Pango said. The veteran administrator said that the new president, Caitano Fernandes has done a fantastic job by launching a vision document for GFA.
"We want to fulfil the promises given to the clubs. There will be decentralisation of players registration so that clubs can register players at Margao as well. There will digitising of players' data and interlinking of zonal offices digitally," Pango said. Pango said the youth leagues and more grassroots leagues will be developed in partnership with Goa Football Development Council.
"The Goa Professional League needs to be made a better quality product with proper sponsorship, broadcast and it has to be organised at multiple venues so that the game spreads all over Goa. This will help our players get scouted by I-League and ISL teams. The First, Second and Third Division Leagues also need to be organised in a more professional way and on better grounds," said Pango. “Women’s football has tremendous potential. So many of our Indian players are now developing potential to play in the foreign leagues."
Pango, who has served four times as an Executive Committee member, thanked the clubs who gave the Fernandes panel an overwhelming verdict, including for him as the vice-president and acknowledged that the new dispensation faces a big task ahead to revive football in the State.
"We have a huge task ahead of us as GFA has gone through a tough phase in recent times and that will be our task to rebuild and repair the damage,” Pango said. “A huge credit for my victory also goes to all my team members in the Snow's Football Club whose hard work and success here in the State helped my election at the Goa level,” he said.
“Focus on grassroots level football and empowering the state is something which Caitano Ferandes and I are keen on and we will listen to all the clubs and then move forward with our agenda,” the newly elected GFA vice-president said.
