The return of Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League comes as a relief for the football fans and players of Goa, who were left in the lurch after the pullout of Dempo SC, Sporting Clube De Goa and Salgaocar from the national club competition.
READ: >Churchill Brothers reinstated in I-League
“We will now represent entire Goa and it is going to be a huge task. The players are the worst affected by the decisions of the other clubs, a lot of them are suddenly unemployed. We will try to accommodate as many Goan players possible,” Valanka Alemao, the CEO of the club, told Sportstar from Goa. “It’s a great day for us. We were probably the only club, which was fighting to get into the I-League. The past two years have been difficult for us. Football is a passion for the family. For my father (Churchill Alemao) football comes first, then family and then politics. So, we will try our best to serve Goan and Indian football.”
Valanka, who has been helming the affairs at the club since 2012, knows the task ahead will be tough. The team has very little time to assemble a competitive squad for the I-League, which is slated to kickoff early next year. “It’s going to be a herculean effort. I don’t know how we will get our squad ready in such short notice," she said. "But, I am confident. My father has a knack of spotting talent and he was instrumental in bringing quality foreigners like Odafa Okolie to India. So, I can assure you that we will be competitive in the field.”
Nigerian Joseph Afusi, who guided Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi to two Bangladesh Premier League titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15 will take charge of the side in the I-League. “Jospeh has a lot of experience in the sub-continent, both as a player and coach. I think he is the ideal person to lead a young team and we are confident that he will get us the desired results," Valanka said.
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