Straight fight for top posts in GFA elections

Panaji: Elections to the Goa

Football

Association (

GFA

) next month will see three straight contests, including for the president’s post where

Churchill Alemao

and

Avertano Furtado

are locking horns for the first time since the state assembly elections in 2012.

Alemao and Furtado were the only two candidates to submit their nomination forms before Friday’s deadline. Two other members – Sanjiv Nagvenkar and Babli Mandrekar – had also picked up nomination forms for the president’s post but, as expected, didn’t return to submit.

There will also be a straight contest for the vice president’s post in north and south Goa. While incumbent Lavinio Rebello has thrown his hat in the ring for a third term, he will be challenged by Sporting Clube de Goa manager Angelo Albuquerque, the longest-serving GFA executive committee member.

“I’ve been a member for a very long time and did my best. Now is the time to compete for a vice president’s post,” said Albuquerque.

Current executive committee member Anthony Pango is also seeking promotion as a vice president (south) and will be challenged by former Dempo SC midfielder Valente Fernandes, who enjoys Alemao’s backing.

As expected, Salcete received the highest number of nominations with 11 candidates battling for seven executive member’s posts. Bardez has nine competing for five spots. Interestingly, Ilhas has seen seven nominations, while Mormugao has three.

“The scrutiny will go on till October 5. We have to wait and watch if some of the nominations get rejected on technical grounds,” said a senior official.

A couple of members are understood to be spending sleepless nights as their forms are now up for scrutiny.

The GFA elections will be held in the city on October 28.

NOMINATIONS

President: Avertano Furtado (Enfermos), Churchill Alemao (Churchill Bros)
VP South: Anthonio Pango (Snows), Valente Fernandes (Areal)
VP North: Agnelo Albuquerque (Panjim), Lavinio Rebello (Anjuna)
Salcete (7 members): Arnaldo Costa (Curtorim), Prakash Desai (Cuncolim), Patwin Fizardo (Guirdolim), Anthony Leo Fernandes (Colva), Jose Santarita Coelho (Navelim), Jaju Fernandes (Young Strikers), Joseph Dias (Salcete), John Silva (Ambelim), Cosme Oliveira (Raia), Dionizio Dias (Cavelossim), Aleixo Noronha (Margao).
Bardez (5 members): Babli Mandrekar (Arpora), Miguel Gonsalves (Nerul), Raju Banavalikar (Guirim), John Fernandes (St Savio), Gregory D’Souza (PVC), Gajanan Kerkar (Milagres), Dominic Pereira (Colvale), Laxman Hadfadkar (Sinquerim), Patrick D’Souza (Saligao).
Ilhas (4 members): Sanjiv Nagvenkar (Aivao), Digvijai Velingkar (Mardol), Mauricio Almeida (Taleigao), Francisco Araujo (Merces), Nelson D’Cunha (YBT), Jonathan de Sousa (Dempo Juniors), Welvin Menezes (Goa Velha).
Mormugao (2 members): Andrew Ferrao (CAC), Francisco Nunes (Benfica), Adlear D’Cruz (Salgaocar).