'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The curtain is all set to go up on the prestigious GIFT (Goa International Football Table) 2014 amidst palpable exicitement among the visiting delegates, keynote speakers and others who form the star-studded line-up of this three-day event. What will set the opening day of the three-day event apart is something which has hitherto not be done in India’s footballing history – the release of Nielsen report on “Evaluation of the Football Ecosystem in Goa”.
This will be followed by a keynote address by Jerome Champagne, former Fifa deputy secretary general who is well versed with the intricate details of the game, and can be aptly termed a football diplomat, having astutely done well both in football administration as well as a former diplomat.
Prior to this will be release of comprehensive report of Goa Youth Development program by Dr Robin Petersen, CEO of South African Football System (SAFA). Peterssen will release this report which dwells on all facets of the youth program, right from the grassroots level to innnate development and honing of talent till youth stage in tandem with, Shrinivas Dempo, President Goa Football Association, Subrata Datta, Senior Vice President AIFF, Dr Rufino Monteiro, Chairman GDFC and Elvis Gomes, Member Secretary, GDFC.
Besides the opening adresses by various dignataries, the opening day will kick-start with a session detailing GFDC’s achievements and remarkable progress made in a short span in a session titled, ‘The Year that was’. Arunava Chaudhuri, will moderate the session wholse panellists include Subrata Dutta, Shrinivas Dempo, GFA president, GFDC vice-president and owner of Dempo Sports Club and Ishmeet Singh, Vodafone, Business Head, Maharashtra and Goa.
Elvis Gomes will dwell on the special inititatives taken by GFDC. There will be interactive sessions with the audience but the standout opening address which will be eagerly looked forward to by one and all is the keynote speech by Jerome Champagne.
Dr Rufino Monteiro, minced no words when he said, “GIFT has helped GFDC in many ways. With all the suggestions that were given, we have definitely paid heed to what the experts from round the world and country had various opinions to offer. Like for example, seeing the massive improvement taking place in countries like Spain and Germany or even Belgium through grassroots and youth development has made us focus on this and from the last years when we had six hundred odd trainees we now have 2600.”
Monteiro added, “The Goa International Football Table (GIFT) is organized with the hope of improving the knowledge in the field of football of our coaches, administrators as well as others involved in the field of football. Besides, we open up channels of communication and fellowship with footballing experts and footballers from across India and round the world which will go a long way in improving the standard of football in Goa and India.”
