JOVITO LOPES
jovito@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The 2023-24 official football season will kick-off on June 20 with the futsal league and will wind up on April 30 with the knock-out competitions and First Division League.
The GFA has already circulated its calendar, which may undergo some changes, depending on the feedback of the clubs, as the AIFF calendar for the new season has been finalised and it incorporates the dates of various national championships.
This is the first time in a decade or two, that the official events have been planned much in advance so that it gives the participating clubs, players, officials enough time for adequate preparation and planning, with the schedules extending for prolonged period as is necessary so that the players get proper exposure and experience on a long term basis, which is essential for player's development.
Above all, it is part of professional management, for which the GFA plans to recruit additional technical staff, especially in the competitions department, disclosed president Caitano Fernandes.
The Goa Professional League, Goa's premier competition, will start on August 1 and will wind up on March 31, there being two gaps from August 15 to 31 for participation in the Santosh Trophy group stage matches. The other is from October 1 to 15, for the Santosh Trophy qualifiers.
After the futsal league from June 20 to 30, which is played indoors, the Third Division league will be played from July 8 to 31, August 1 to 31 and September 1 to 15. This is the lowest rung of the competition at senior level.
The Second Division League will be played from September 5 to 30, October 1 to 31 and November 1 to 30. The First Division League will be held from January 3 to 31, February 1 to 29 and March 1 to 31.
Beach football will be played from October 1 to 15.
Senior women's football league from September 1 to 30, October 1 to 31, December 1 to 31. From November 1 to 30 - senior women's nationals. U-15 girls from January 1 to 15, February 1 to 29, March 1 to 10.
U-17 girls league August 1 to 31, September 1 to 15. U-19 boys league: August 1 to 31, September 1 to 30, October 1 to 15, November 10 to 30, December 1 to 31 and January 1 to 10.
U-17 boys league from August 1 to 20, September 1 to 14, October 1 to 15, November 10 to 30, December 1 to 31, January 1 to 10.
U-15 boys league. August 1 to 15 - Junior boys nationals. Junior Boys Nationals from September 15 to 30. League: September 1 to 14. October 1 to 15, November 10 to 30, December 1 to 31, January 1 to 10.
U-13 boys league from August 1 to 20, September 1 to 30, October 1 to 15, November 10 to 30, December 1 to 31, January 1 to 10.