PANAJI: Churchill Bros SC take on Vasco SC in the inaugural match of Kingfisher Goa Pro-League 2010, which kicks off on August 28 at Tilak stadium, Vasco. The other round 1 matches would see, Salgaocar SC and Goa Velha SC locking horns at Tilak on August 30 followed by the match between holders Dempo SC and Sesa Football ACA at Duler on August 31.
On September 1, Sporting Clube de Goa would face debutants Faria Sports Management at Duler.
At a press conference in a star city hotel, on Thursday, the Goa Football Association along with title sponsors Kingfisher, announced the launch of the second edition of the Kingfisher Goa Professional League wherein Mr Gurpreet Singh, General Manager – Marketing, Kingfisher, UB Group said: “Kingfisher supports the football passion of the Goans and are proud to support their most passionate past time - Football. Kingfisher is here to add a flavour of the good times to an already exciting league which has some of the best teams and players participating.”
Mr Singh added that Kingfisher will also continue to sponsor the senior Goa state team, which reached the semi-finals of the Santosh Trophy 2010. Also reiterating their support to the Kingfisher Goa Pro League and providing the necessary zing to the fast and furious football action will be Radio Partner 92.7 Big FM. The Kingfisher Goa Pro League continues to be promoted by Procam International, the country’s foremost Sports and Leisure Management Company.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ramesh Thakur, Commercial Director, Procam International said: “Procam International, along with Kingfisher are committed in their vision to promote the game of football in Goa on a massive scale.” “The Kingfisher Goa Pro League has enjoyed tremendous response and support from the sports loving populace of Goa and we hope to make it bigger and better this year,” stated Mr Thakur.
Welcoming the sponsors and partner on board was Mr Savio Messias, secretary of GFA, who said: “Goan football is making grand progress over the last few years. The Goa Professional League, also known as the Kingfisher Pro League is the GFA’s Flagship event and will once again be the focus of all attention. This year we have decided to play only two foreigners despite the AIFF permitting four foreigners to play, as we want to encourage local talent. We are extremely happy with the support from Kingfisher and I can assure you that this league is going to be a very exciting and hard fought one.”
The Kingfisher Pro League will feature the following eight teams: Dempo Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Churchill Brothers Sports Club, Vasco Sports Club, Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa Velha Sports Club, Sesa Football Academy and Faria Sports Management.
Dempo Sports Club are the current I-League champions, Churchill Brothers finished runners-up in the 2009 edition. Faria Sports Management is the new team in the Kingfisher Pro League, having gained promotion from the lower rung, while Raia Sporting Club has been relegated.
The eight teams in the Pro League will play over 56 matches in a double leg system, the league lasting till mid-December. Matches will be played at the Tilak Maidan (Vasco da Gama) and Duler (Mapusa).
According to Mr Messias, the winners of the Pro League will stand to gain Rs 2 lakh, with the runner-up team benefiting by Rs 1 lakh. Besides this, the Super Cup will feature the top four teams from the Pro League, who will play the semi-finals and final, with the winner receiving Rs 75,000 and the runners-up teams Rs 35,000.
Earlier, Mr Peter Vaz, vice-president, GFA, Mr John Dias, treasurer and Mr V M Prabhudesai, executive director of SAG also spoke.
