PANAJI: Sports Authority of Goa’s Artificial Turf ground near Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda; was bustling with activity as young participants experienced football like never before. In the run-up to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 that will kick-off next month in Goa, the FIFA Local Organising Committee hosted a unique two-day ‘Football Carnival’ with an aim of promoting the flagship tournament and creating awareness among the locals.
Goa is among the host cities for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that will run from October 11 to 30.
Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) deputed 590 trainee children, aged 8 to 17 years, who participated in the ‘Kick Off The Dream’ Football Carnival that began on Thursday. The children were drawn from GFDC’s 11 centres – Fatorda, Seraulim, Davorlim, Shiroda, Maina Curtorim, Benaulim, Ambelim, Quepem, Cuncolim, Devabhag and Savoi Verem.
For the young exuberant participants, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where the two-day event featured a host of football-themed fun-filled games, activities, as well as various challenges based on accuracy, free-kick, four-corner, bowling pin, volley, header, etc, all centered around the idea of ‘Football For All’.
The purpose behind organising the Carnival was to showcase the talents of children and encourage gender-inclusive participation, and also promote team performance and leadership skills.
The Carnival included two 3v3 football pitches and one 5v5 football where mixed gender teams engaged in football matches. A special football freestyle show was also arranged for the children, where an award-winning freestyler performed various tricks and skills, while also conducting spontaneous workshops for those eager to learn freestyling.
The official winners’ trophy of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was displayed on the second day of the Carnival, with the official mascot of the tournament, Ibha, as a special attraction.
