Gujarat State Football Association (GSFA) has commenced awards in eleven categories to recognize the performing district football associations and individual achievers. The awards are on the lines of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and also as decided in one of the previous Annual General Meetings (AGM) of the GSFA.
“The GSFA awards will boost the morale of the players, referees and the district football associations that will in turn help boost football in the state,” said Shri Parimal Nathwani, President of the GSFA, Rajya Sabha member and Director- Corporate Affairs of Reliance Industries Ltd. He was addressing the GSFA’s 46th AGM at Ahmedabad today. He added, “The past year has been a testament to our collective efforts in realising our vision of making Gujarat a force to be reckoned with in Indian football. I am happy that leading Corporate Houses of the State, including Reliance, Adani, Zydus, Torrent and others have been contributing in establishing Gujarat football on a sound footing.”
The Ahmedabad District Football Association was awarded for maximum number of Players Registration. Best District for Hosting Intra-district Tournament award went to Rajkot, Best Supportive District Award was given to Bharuch, while the Best Performing Active District award went to Bhavnagar District Football Association. ARA Football Club and Baroda Football Academy were declared joint winners as Best Performing Football Clubs under GSFA’s umbrella.
In individual category, Rangatji Thakor, a Physical Training Teacher from Mahadevpura village of Patan District was given a special award to recognize his efforts for encouraging village girls to take up football as a profession. Due to his relentless efforts, the Thakor community’s girls not only got inspired to play football but also took up higher education. As a result, the illiterate farm labour village girls turned into educated ardent football players and many of them represented Gujarat at National level football tournaments.
Rachana Kamani and Akash Mehta were judged Football Referee of the Year in female and male categories respectively, while Coach of the Year award went to Kalpana Das and Gopal Kag in female and male categories. Similarly, Khushbu Saroj and Harshal Davda were felicitated with Emerging Player of the Year award, while Best Player of the Year award went to Shilpa Thakor and Brijesh Yadav in female and male categories respectively. Vishal Vaja was felicitated with Best Beach Soccer & Futsal Referee of the Year.
Shri Mulrajsinh Chudasama, Hon. General Secretary of GSFA., presented the annual activity report and calendar for the new football year. An audited accounts and balance-sheet were also placed before the members. The AGM was preceded by the executive committee members. Shri Chudasama said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to our President Parimal Nathwani sir, GSFA executive committee, DFA members, clubs, academies, coaches, match officials, sponsors, volunteers for their unwavering support and dedication. Special thanks to the All India Football Federation for their continuous guidance and support. Together, we have made significant progress and together, we will continue to drive the growth of football in Gujarat.”
GSFA organized various inter-district tournaments for boys and girls under different age groups. Significant among them was a Blue Cubs League (Baby Leagues), the grass-root football for the age groups between 7 and 12 years. A participation of 5,000 football players from 23 districts was stunning and raised lots of hope for future of football in the State.
In another breakthrough activity, the GSFA for the first time successfully conducted the Gujarat Super League (GSL) which received overwhelming response from the entrepreneurs and businessmen of the State. GSFA Futsal Club Championship 2023-24, Khelo India Women’s Football League (U-13, U-15 & U-17), Gujarat Beach Soccer Team Selection Trials, etc were other events which made GSFA an achiever of AIFF’s 3 awards in different categories during the year.
The AGM was attended among others by GSFA office-bearers including Vice Presidents Shri Hanif Ginwalla, Shri Pradipsinh Vaghela, Shri Jignesh Paatil, Shri Gunvantbhai Delawala, Shri Arunsingh Rajput, Shri Mulrajsinh Chudasama and Hon. Treasurer Shri Mayank Buch along with representatives of 33 district football associations affiliated with the GSFA.
