Zee Telefilms coming to the fore to sponsor Goan Football:

Back on the heels of Zee Telefilms coming to the fore to sponsor

Churchill Bros club, the state’s football governing body, the Goa Football Association, too, has come under the arms of the Zee network vis-a-vis the Zee Sports channel which is scheduled for a December launch.

Announcing this at a press briefing in the city yesterday, the secretary of the Goa Football Association (GFA), Agnelo Alcasoas said that the association with Zee Sports will be for 15 years, starting from the next season. The long term agreement, which deals with marketing and telecasting of all official competitions of the State association, was signed yesterday by Alcasoas and the CEO of Zee Sports, Satish Menon.

Menon, while asserting that Zee Sports’ main endeavour will be to promote football which hitherto had been pushed to the back benches, the channel is also in the process of roping in a few other state associations where soccer flourishes to the
hilt.

In Menon’s words, the GFA is the most progressive football association in the country.

Zee Sports already have doled out Rs 15 lakh for the youth development programme of the GFA. As the channel’s focus will be on football to a large extent, Menon said their plans are also regional telecast of the game.

"We are not only interested in the telecasting rights but more than that have the desire to take the game forward and showcase it to the world", Menon said while terming it as the people’s real game.

Menon said the channel is also planning to patronise the tennis fraternity. On asked whether Zee Sports will be pay channel, Menon said initially it will be free to air but later on may change course.

He also disclosed that discussions were on with the All India Football Fedeartion for the telecasting rights of the National Football League.Menon explained that as many matches as possible would be shown live or in capsule form and this included GFA’s junior competitions, too.

GFA president Joaquim Alemao speaking on the occasion said the credit for the ground work does not go to individuals but to the entire executive committee of the Association.

With Zee Sports’ sponsorship, Alemao, foresees a boost for the youth development.

Also present at the briefing were GFA treasurer Henry Britto, Vice-President Alberto Colaco and other association members including Albino Vales, who helped in the legal proceedures. Former international goalkeeper Brahmanand, who was present came in for praise from Menon as talks centred on commentating aspect. Zee Sports plans to stick with Indian commentators as far as the domestic events are concerned but would opt for foreign experts in case of international tournaments in any sport.

(Herald)