Goa gained its independence from the Portuguese rule on December 19,1961. During these 42 years Goa made rapid progress in football on the national scene. There are five teams from Goa in the current NFL providing tough opposition to teams from Bengal, Punjab and Maharashtra, the traditional bastions of soccer in India. Goa produced famous internationals like the legendary Brahmanand, Ashok Phadte, Prakash Naik, Subash Sinari, Ramesh Redkar, Visitacao, Nicholas, Camilo, Mauricio, Derrick, Francis, Bruno, Mahesh Lotlikar, Gokuldas, Mario Soares, Pocket, Alvito and Gawli just to name a few. All these laurels were due to the efforts of some highly committed volunteers who worked hard for the promotion of the game in the state. Great men like the late Shri Dayanand Bhausaheb Bandodkar, late Shri Dattaram Dhond, late Shri Parkot, late Cromacio Mascarenhas, Adolfo Viegas and the present lot like the Salgaocars, Dempos, Alemaos, Colacos, Botelhos, Messias and Lima Leitaos. The same has not happened in cricket although the interest is there. The GFA should try to reach out and help the GCA. The Goa Ranji team is the lone entry in the second division from the South Zone being beaten by all.
