Augusto Rodrigues
Elections to the Executive Committee of Goa Football Association (GFA) have taken a spin with the intention of Babli Mandrekar to file his nomination for the post of President and Vice President, North.
With Babli Mandrekar set to file his nomination on Friday, the battle for president will be a four-corner contest.
Caitano Jose Fernandes of FC Tuem, Savio Alemao, son of former GFA president Churchill Alemao and Welvin Menezes, former secretary of GFA, are the other three who are vying for the president's post.
"I have got my nomination for the post of vice president north already seconded by two clubs and am waiting for a club to second my nomination to the post of President,” Babli Mandrekar told Gomantak Times. “ I am sure clubs will come forward,” added Babli.
GFA elections were necessitated after Churchill Alemao resigned after the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court ruled that he was not eligible to hold office as per the 2018 constitution of GFA.
The contest for presidency was initially between Caitano and Welvin with the former enjoying an edge over the latter with his ability to ride over the financial crisis staring GFA. The race turned into a three-way battle after Churchill declared that his son Savio was stepping in.
Babli Mandrekar’s decision to throw his hat into the ring for the post of president – with less than 24 hours left for closing of the nominations- has thrown the contest for the post of president wide open.
Nominations can be filed till 12 pm on September 30.
Babli Mandrekar served two terms on the Executive Committee, his first being in 2010 when he won 44 of the 52 valid votes. Babli won the 2018 election polling 56 out of the 72 valid votes.
Babli, who is secretary of Arpora Sporting Club, was member of the Competition Committee of All India Football Federation (AIFF) from 2012-16 and was chairman of Futsal and Beach Football Committee of GFA and was organizing secretary of I-league matches that were held at Duler stadium in 2013.
