Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Come Wednesday, it is time for yet another edition of the National Football League. On the eve of the inaugural match — a Goan derby pitting last year’s runner-up Churchill Brothers against Goa professional league winner Salgaocar SC at Goa — the mood is very clear: Win the title (and the purse of Rs. 40 lakh) at any cost!
It is this desire that has understandably forced most teams in the seventh edition of the NFL to look for fresh ‘‘foreign’’ recruits. And it is no different in the case of the two Goan sides. As Vasco caretaker Noel D’Lima says, ‘‘The league this year would be much competitive.’’ He validates his argument by highlighting the role the foreigners are bound to play. ‘‘Gone are the days of student players. Clubs today are meticulous is selecting their quota,’’ he adds.
For the record, this year a fair number of Brazillians would be seen in action. East Bengal, who annexed their 28th Kolkata Super Division title recently, have roped in striker Gilmar adding up to their defender Douglas D’Silva. Mohun Bagan have Jose Baretto — the star of the sixth NFL, Dempo are looking at Luciano or Amouri D’Silva and are yet to ‘finalise’ while Vasco have already retained their three Brazillians that did duty last year.
Apart from the Brazilians, teams like Mahindra United have gone to the extent of roping in the services of 1982 Czech World Cup goalkeeper Karel Stromsik as their coach apart from Strnodel Petr, likewise Dempo have finaised a deal with Uzbec striker Andreev Sergey.
One aspect that many fear is whether this NFL, like the many before, would be won on the strength of their foreign players. Bramhanand, a former India custodian argues, ‘‘foreigners are good to improve our players, but the coaches must not forget to develop a second string attack.’’ The former Arjuna Awardee adds that with Manipur fast becoming another nerve-centre for football talent coaches need to exploit our home talent to the maximum.
This year Goa would have the maximum representation in the league after Dempo made it from the Second Division after a two-year gap. As far as the promotion of the game is concerned, Strata has planned a weekly show Football India — a 30-miute capsule on the NFL to be either aired on Ten Sports or DD Sports. The programme, apart from highlights, would also have interviews of star players.
With Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekwat expected to set the bll rolling at the Nehru Stadium (Fatorda), it would be yet another gruelling grind of three months to decide weather it would be viva Goa or formidble Bengal to reign supreme. For the record in the six NFLs so far Kolkata teams (Mohun Bagan 3, East Bengl 1) have won the title four times, while Goa have had just one winner (Salgaoncar) and three runners-up finish (Churchill Bros). The lone outsider was JCT (Phagwara) who won the title in its inaugral year.
