Tag: Grassroots Football

Sports

FC Goa Offers Free Entry to Women for February 26 Clash Against Sporting Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

FC Goa is set to celebrate its female fans in a grand gesture ahead of International Women’s Day 2026. For the match against Sporting Delhi on Thursday, February 26th at the Fatorda Stadium, entry will be completely free for women of all ages, across all stands. This initiative reflects FC Goa’s commitment to honoring the women who have passionately supported the club over the years and fostering an inclusive environment for football in the state.

Ravi Puskur, CEO of FC Goa, said the move is a way to thank women for their support and ensure the stadium feels welcoming and celebratory. “We hope this match becomes more than just a game—a shared evening where families come together, young girls see themselves as part of football’s future, and Fatorda reflects the inclusive spirit that football in Goa truly stands for,” he said.

The matchday will feature dedicated women-only entry lanes to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Loyal female season pass holders will also enjoy exclusive half-time on-pitch contests and activations. Special partner booths and giveaways will be set up around the stadium, enhancing the matchday experience for female attendees. Adding a special touch, young girl mascots will lead the starting XI for both teams onto the pitch, with fans invited to nominate participants through club social media contests.

This celebration continues FC Goa’s strong focus on promoting women’s football. The club has a history of fielding an FC Goa Women’s Team and nurturing grassroots talent through programs like the Little Gaurs League and FC Goa Football Schools, which train girls across multiple age groups and skill levels. The club is also actively supporting competitive local talent, training an U14 girls team for the GFA U14 Women’s League in partnership with St. Dominic Savio SC Calvin.

The February 26 match promises a day of celebration, community engagement, and inspiration, underscoring FC Goa’s ongoing efforts to make football inclusive, exciting, and empowering for women and girls across the state. Further details on free entry and matchday activities will be shared via FC Goa’s official social media channels.

Sports

GFDC Holds First Council Meeting Under New Chairman Glenn Ticlo

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The meeting outlined several strategic decisions aimed at creating a strong and sustainable football ecosystem in Goa. Among the key proposals discussed was the appointment of a Technical Director to oversee football development programmes and ensure uniform technical standards across all GFDC initiatives.


The council also deliberated on the establishment of GFDC North and South Academies to provide structured and accessible training opportunities for young footballers across different regions of the state. This move is expected to decentralise football development and widen talent identification at the grassroots level.

Improving football infrastructure and ensuring access to quality equipment formed a major part of the discussions. The council emphasised the importance of conducting regular coaches’ workshops, upgrading coaching licences and promoting continuous education to enhance coaching standards across Goa.

Strengthening GFDC’s operational capacity was also taken up, with discussions on evaluating the performance of existing coaches and inducting new, committed professionals dedicated to long-term football development in the state.

Speaking after the meeting, Chairman Glenn Ticlo said the council’s priority was to put the right systems in place, from technical leadership to infrastructure and coaching quality, to ensure Goan footballers receive the best possible support. He added that the proposed regional academies would help ensure equal opportunities for talent from all parts of Goa.

The Goa Football Development Council reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to take Goan football to greater heights in the years ahead.

Sports

Goa to Host Two Qualifying Rounds of Red Bull Four 2 Score Season 4

allycaralgoa

Goa is set to once again become a hotspot for grassroots football as it hosts two qualifying rounds of Red Bull Four 2 Score Season 4, one of the world’s most unique and high-intensity small-format football tournaments. With separate qualifiers scheduled in North and South Goa, a total of 96 teams from across the state will compete for coveted spots in the national finals later this year.

The North Goa qualifiers will take place at Play Goa, while South Goa will host matches at The Base. Both rounds are scheduled over January 24 and 25, with matches running from 9 am to 4 pm at each venue. Each qualifier will feature 48 teams, highlighting Goa’s deep-rooted football culture beyond professional leagues.

Red Bull Four 2 Score is known for its fast-paced and action-packed format. Matches are played four-a-side, without goalkeepers, on compact fields, and last 10 minutes. Adding to the drama, goals scored in the opening and closing 60 seconds count double, ensuring relentless attacking play from start to finish.

The tournament is open to players aged 16 to 35, with teams allowed a maximum of five players, including one substitute. Participation is inclusive across genders, and matches can be played on turf, grass, or hard courts—underscoring the tournament’s accessibility-first approach.

Winning teams from city qualifiers across India will advance to the national finals in Coimbatore, scheduled for the end of March. Ten city champions will compete in a group-plus-knockout format, with the winners earning the title of Red Bull Four 2 Score India Champions.

In the event of a draw, matches are decided through a golden goal showdown, where one player from each team goes head-to-head until a goal is scored. Any denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity during this phase results in an automatic win for the opposition, adding immense pressure and excitement.

The national champions will earn the chance to represent India at the Red Bull Four 2 Score World Final in Toronto, Canada, set to take place after the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Last season, Goa-based team Boom Boom Goa represented India at the World Finals in Salzburg—and will once again be among the teams to watch during the Goa qualifiers.

Sports

Candolim Panchayat–Super 30 Football Programme Sets Benchmark in Grassroots Development

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji: Over the last six to seven years, a structured and community-driven football development model led by Candolim Panchayat, implemented through Super 30 Soccer Schools and represented competitively by Super Goan Football Club, has steadily emerged as one of Goa’s most consistent grassroots football ecosystems.


The programme, headed by president Ricardo Cardozo, focuses on building football development from the grassroots level with an emphasis on structure, patience and continuity. “We have always believed that football development cannot be rushed. If you give children the right environment early and stay committed to the process, results will follow naturally,” Cardozo said.

The system introduces children to organised football training from the age of six, following a progressive age-group structure that focuses on technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning and discipline. This pathway allows players to move seamlessly into competitive football through Super Goan Football Club, the parent club of the programme.

Over the past four years, Super Goan FC has consistently finished among the top four teams in grassroots tournaments, winning multiple competitions, while also establishing itself as a strong contender in the GFA Second Division League with regular top-four finishes.

A major strength of the initiative has been the development of supporting infrastructure across multiple centres. Daily training sessions are held at the Candolim Panchayat Football Academy, where over 100 children train across various age groups. High-intensity futsal sessions are conducted at the Nagoa Futsal Arena.

The football network has expanded to centres at Porvorim and the Benaulim Constituency Football Academy, which functions under the Super 30 umbrella with the support of Warren Alemao, ensuring a common football philosophy across regions.

The programme has received consistent institutional backing from Candolim Panchayat, with continued encouragement from Blaize Fernandes. The technical framework is led by head coach Tony Okafor, while operations and coordination across centres and competitions are managed by Marcos Fernandes, Head of Department and Manager, with support from Shrikrishna Nagvekar.

Beyond results, the initiative has fostered strong community involvement, particularly on matchdays, where parents and supporters turn up in large numbers to create a vibrant atmosphere. “When parents become part of the journey, it motivates the children and strengthens the entire system,” Cardozo added.

One of the most significant outcomes of the programme has been its commitment to developing and competing with homegrown players. Several footballers who began their journey within this structure have progressed to professional youth clubs, continuing their careers beyond grassroots and state-level competitions.

With a clear grassroots-to-club pathway, growing infrastructure and strong community backing, the Candolim Panchayat–Super 30–Super Goan FC model continues to demonstrate how sustained grassroots planning can shape the future of football development in Goa.

Sports

KOFS Cup 2.0 Kicks Off with Strong Participation at Old Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Day one of the KOFS Cup 2.0, organised by Kick Off Football Schools, witnessed a strong turnout at the Sunshine School Ground in Old Goa, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for grassroots football in the region. Matches across the Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 categories marked the opening day, with young players displaying impressive skill, teamwork, and sporting spirit on the field.

The tournament atmosphere was lively, with parents and supporters cheering from the sidelines, creating an encouraging environment for the budding footballers. The presence of former Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team, Maymol Rocky, added further significance to the occasion, as she interacted with players and supported the initiative aimed at nurturing young talent.

With all Under-15 matches scheduled for Sunday, along with the semi-finals in the Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 categories, the excitement around the KOFS Cup 2.0 is set to build further. Organisers expressed satisfaction with the response on day one, noting that the strong participation and support reaffirm their commitment to providing a competitive and positive platform for youth football development in Goa.