'Footballers between 12-17 years fall out of system'

The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) believes that young footballers between the age of 12-17 are most likely to fall out of the training grid.

GFDC chairman Rufino Monteiro said that focusing on children would pay rich dividends to football in Goa and would get the crowds back to the football matches in the state.

"Our research shows that between the age of 12-17 is where the talented football children fall out of the system. We have to ensure that does not happen. Not every youngster will play for India or Goa but they can be a great pool of talent which can serve both the state and the country," Monteiro said on the sidelines of a promotional event.

Monteiro, whose GFDC has been put in-charge of focusing on young footballers and honing their talents, also said that football matches involving children could get crowds back to the football stadiums, even as experts have expressed worry about the dearth of spectators at games in Goa.

"Their parents, neighbours and friends will come to watch the matches. The children are the future of football in every which way," Monteiro said.

GFDC has already launched a football league for children which has over 300 games lined up in the next few months.