Panaji, Goa: On a rainy Wednesday morning, the Duler Football Stadium came alive with football and festivity as the Goa Monsoon Premier League kicked off its much-anticipated debut edition. With music, dance, and the cheers of football fans echoing through the stands, the event offered a uniquely Goan take on the beautiful game.
Organised jointly by the Goa Football Association (GFA) and the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Social Welfare Trust, this under-20 tournament is more than just a sports event—it’s a cultural initiative aimed at boosting youth engagement and monsoon tourism in the state.
“At this time of the year, there’s limited football activity. So we supported this event to mix football with culture,” said GFA President Caitano Fernandes, the chief guest at the opening.
The brainchild behind the tournament is V.P.V. Yugka Murrthy, Vice President (South India) of the Indo-Latin American Chamber of Commerce, who hopes to spotlight young football talent and connect them to larger training opportunities.
Fast & Fresh Format
While called a “league,” the tournament follows a knockout format with 16 GFA-affiliated clubs. Matches are six-a-side, divided into two 20-minute halves, with rolling substitutions, no offside rule, and penalty shootouts in case of a tie.
To ensure safety and fair play, slide tackles are banned, and sin-bin penalties are used for repeat offenders—rules that added a new layer of strategy and discipline to the game.
Matchday Highlights
The opening day saw some exciting clashes and emphatic victories:
- 🥇 Dempo SC overwhelmed FC Tuem with an 8–0 scoreline
- 🥇 CAC Cansaulim cruised past St Anthony’s Marna 7–1
- 🥇 Patrong SC defeated Chapora Yuvak Sangh 4–1
🎯 The tightest game saw Guardian Angel edge Sinquerim SC in a 3–3 thriller, winning via tiebreaker
What’s Next?
With high energy and a strong start, the Goa Monsoon Premier League promises a month of gripping football under the Goan rains. The unique blend of sport and culture could pave the way for this to become an annual sporting calendar fixture in the state.
Stay tuned for more updates as Goa’s young footballers make the most of monsoon magic!
