Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) reopened a full-fledged football training centre for girls, in Valpoi on Monday.
Around 50 girls from Valpoi participated in the first day’s training session at VMC ground in the presence of GFDC chairman Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Valpoi Football Development Centre head Abdulla Khan, consultative committee members, Sayyad Sarfaraz, Nasir Khan, Inus Aga, Nagina Khan and Samreen Aga.
Addressing the gathering, the legendary India goalkeeper and Arjuna Awardee, Brahmanand Shankhwalkar expressed great joy on the occasion. “Discipline in football is very important. Apart from games you all must focus on studies too. If you play with dedication you may be a future star,” said the Padma Shri awardee.
Shankhwalkar also thanked and appealed to parents to encourage the kids to come for regular practice and become great football names in the future. He mentioned that he would like to see the girls follow in the footsteps of famous footballers for our state and country.
Assuring full support to the centre, Shankhwalkar said that he will urge the Health Minister and local MLA, Vishwajit Rane to allot the VMC ground to conduct sessions for the trainees.
GFDC OPENS CENTRE AT SAO JOSE DE AREAL
Earlier on Friday, Goa Football Development Council opened a new centre at Bethany Convent High School ground, Sao Jose de Areal.
Sports Minister Govind Gaude, who graced the inaugural function and motivated the students, said: “We need to maintain our physique and mental balance. It is very important. If you wish to rise to greater heights in life. In the olden days, students would work in the field or indulge in hard, physical work. What is the use of wealth if your health is not sound? It is important for students to come on the ground at least for two hours and exercise so that we can remain active throughout the day. If we rest, we are going to ‘rust’, and then we won’t get that spark for our brains.”
Emphasising that sports is one of the most important fields students need to focus on, Gaude said that passion and perseverance are also key for excellence in life.
“Passion with positive energy is essential to achieve anything in life. We need to identify a field that we are passionate about. Perseverance is also vital. We need to practice and prepare our mindset. Practice will lead to excellence, and this will allow you to perform at the highest level. Stand by your principles. There is no compromise on this. Things will go wrong, and you will not achieve the milestone and success that you have set as your target. We all have the capabilities and qualities within ourselves. Diamonds are expensive because it takes immense effort to convert a rough stone into a gem. it is the hardest substance on earth, and processing requires a lot of skill and technical ability to give it the desired shape and sparkle,” added Gaude.
