Need balanced approach to revitalise football: Dempo

Dempo SC boss Shrinivas Dempo speaks at the GFDC Football Summit.

Photo Credits: The Goan

PANAJI
Dempo Sports Club owner, Shrinivas Dempo, has called for a holistic approach to revive Goa's football scene, emphasising the need for a balanced strategy beyond mere financial investment.

Speaking at the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) summit on Wednesday, Dempo addressed the evolving landscape of professional football in Goa, sharing his insights on challenges and expectations for clubs.

When asked whether a return to past investment levels could restore the popularity of football, particularly referencing a time in 2012 when the club spent around Rs 13 crores, Dempo said that merely pumping in money isn't a viable long-term strategy.

"First of all, let me thank the GFDC, the government of Goa, and the Goa Football Association (GFA) for organising such a valuable brainstorming session," Dempo said. He noted the significant decline in crowd attendance at local matches compared to the past, reminiscing about the excitement of derby matches that once drew huge crowds.

Reflecting on Dempo SC’s decision to withdraw from the I-League, he explained that the move was driven by a need to improve performance and increase youth access to football. "We took a courageous decision to establish a football academy, investing about Rs 25 crores," he revealed. The academy features three football grounds — two natural and one artificial — along with smaller training facilities.

Dempo stressed the importance of a professional approach to club football in Goa. He believes that while the government has invested in infrastructure, clubs must maintain and utilise these facilities effectively. "The government creates infrastructure, but it has to make economic sense for someone to maintain it," he stated.

Dempo also pointed out the disconnect between the GFA and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) regarding their calendars, which creates further challenges for clubs. "We need to evaluate the whole ecosystem of football in Goa," he said, emphasising the importance of grassroots development and proper coaching.

Dempo acknowledged that while his club has faced challenges, they have also made progress. He highlighted the successful integration of players from their academy into the I-League. "We have 5 to 6 boys from our academy who will be playing in the I-League," he noted.

Discussing the community's connection to football, Dempo compared the fan culture in Goa to that of Kolkata, where football has a passionate following. He recalled a personal experience during a match in Kolkata, noting, "The atmosphere is intense; I was even escorted out for my safety."

He expressed disappointment that when his club withdrew from the I-League, there was no significant public outcry. "Not a single fan came to us and asked why we were doing it," he shared.

Dempo concluded by saying that while more needs to be done to engage the community and foster a fan base, he is unsure if these efforts will lead to a stronger following. "I don’t have a definite view on this, but we need to do much more," he said, leaving open the question of how to reinvigorate football’s popularity in Goa.