Goa to host football-specific conference on March 15

The Goa Government will unveil its draft 'football policy' at a conference here over the weekend, laying down a roadmap for providing further impetus to the sport and positioning the state as the "gateway to Indian football".
The conference, titled 'Goa International Football Table (GIFT)', is being organised on March 15-16 at a five-star hotel here by Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), which termed it as the first such event in India. The logo of GIFT was unveiled by GFDC here today.
At the conference, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will release the draft 'football policy' which will delineate a structured approach keeping in mind Goa's culture and help develop a football-based eco-system, GFDC said in a release.

Besides, GIFT will focus on six major components related to football -- infrastructure, talent development, social upliftment, marketing and sponsorship, among others.
Addressing a press meet, Rufino Monteiro, Chairman of GFDC, said, "The conference will launch 'GIFT Awards' which endeavour to honour and recognise achievers and bestow lifetime achievement awards to Goans who have contributed to football."
Goa will be exposed to an array of speakers from Europe, Africa, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF), apart from India's leading football thinkers, businessmen, marketing and media executives, the release said.

"A revolution in Goa football has started and we at GFDC are ensuring proper policy, competition, infrastructure and talent. Goa serves as a catalyst and gateway for football in India. Our endeavour to achieve our dream of putting Indian football on the international map is gradually unfolding," said Monteiro Elvis Gomes, Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa and Member-Secretary of GFD.

A special football parade will also be held with emerging players and stars from yesteryears in attendance. The star-studded parade will include celebrity players like Sunil Chhetri, Inder Singh, Magan Singh, Syed Nayeemuddin and Jestes Antony among others.
GIFT is strongly positioning itself to make Goa "gateway to Indian football", the release added.