Goa Sevens Premier League have roped in experts from Kerala to prepare the ground for the first edition of the football sevens tournament. The inaugural edition will be played at the training ground outside Nehru Stadium rnat Fatorda.
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PANAJI
Tournament Director, Mahesh Lotlikar -- the former Goan international defender, was excited about the GSPL debut. “We did not have the opportunity to play sevens football during our days. The Goan professional clubs playing in the GSPL will hopefully bring cheer to football fans in Goa,” Lotlikar said in a media release from the tournament organisers.
Mahesh, while taking stock of the ground work outside the stadium, pointed out that as the playing surface for the sevens is smaller compared to a normal football pitch, the football fans will witness an exhibition of skills in the shorter, eye-catching version of football, which is very popular in Kerala. “The playfield being small, it will bring out the best skills in the players. They have to react faster with accurate passes and swift thinking,” Lotlikar said.
The dimension of the playing area is 60m x 40m and the height of the goal posts is fixed at 2.44m with a width of 6m. A free zone is marked with a dotted line at a distance of 10m on either side from the halfway line. Seven substitute players and four officials (coach, manager, physio, and equipment manager) are allowed to sit in the technical area. “I have fond memories of old times. Football lovers will enjoy GSPL. This is something new. I strongly urge all Goan football fans to come and watch the players and also cheer the veterans,” Lotlikar said.
The 15-day tournament, which will run in a league cum knock-out format, starts on April 30. On the final day of the event -- May 14 -- football legends of Kerala and Goa will face off in an exhibition match. The GSPL is organized by Ambelim Sports Club and Goa Sevens Sports and Cultural Association.
