Zee Churchill Sports Limited continued its iron grip over the state professional league title winning the same for the fifth year running. There was no doubt about the abilities and performance of the unit throughout the league as they annexed the title in the penultimate round.
But where have the crowds vanished? Were matches in the league fixed? Why no quality players are emerging on the Goan scene? Should GFA revert back to the old first division league system instead of the present six-team professional league?
These issues are being discussed among the passionate Goan fans. They cannot stand the decline of the Goan football as it is happening. `A slow death' is what they are referring to the present state of Goan football. These issues need to be discussed threadbare by the Goan soccer officials.
Crowds are the important ingredient for the success or failure of any event. An event promoter uses his marketing skills to popularise his event. The crowd number swells depending on the market value and entertainment value of the particular event.
Exciting football brings in more crowds and more money for the game but quality football was seldom seen in the league and the team which won more hearts of the spectators but lesser number of matches was Pax of Nagoa, although they finished fifth.
Marketing of the game is a well conceived and planned activity but the GFA league had to go on without a title sponsor continuing from the last season when Shaw Wallace, the liquor giants pulled out of the sponsorship in their third year of the contract. The contractual obligations were then met by Procam Sports last year.
Coming to the crowds, opinion varied on the falling number in the stands. One view expressed is the high rates of tickets, which were priced at Rs 30 and Rs 15. Rs 30 is not the price for these level of matches, say some spectators. But then the contrary view is that with chairs and overhead cover one can watch the action for Rs 15 in comfort.
Then comes the view expressed in having matches under floodlights during working days. But then what guarantee is there that fans will come for floodlit matches when action on the field is hardly inspiring. Then again the issue of a hefty power bill is also to be taken into account.
Sponsors' reluctance to patronise football in the state is also attributed to the lack of television coverage for the game. There is not even deferred live coverage.
People watching high quality, highly competitive league encounters, across the globe on TV, in the comfort of their homes certainly hope for atleast a good deal from the local footballers on the pitch.
But that is not coming forth. The players cannot be blamed for lackluster performances. Our footballers are more by accident. They not come out of a planned system called `youth programmes'. Our youth programme is more on paper than in actual practice. There is need to concentrate more on the grass roots, otherwise the slide of our football will be continuous. That explains why we have quantity but not quality.
Match-fixing in football in our own Goa? fans ask with bated breath. Match-fixing is an issue donning cricket at the international level. But in Goan league the air was full of hushed tones.
So the need of the hour is to appoint an agency to do an analysis on the state of Goan football, identify the ills, and suggest corrective steps.