Dubai: Orlando Viegas, one of the well-known Indian footballers based in Dubai, is relocating with his new assignment as grassroots development director with Indian football franchise FC Goa.
As per regulations of the newly launched Indian Super League (ISL), each of the franchises is supposed to have its own grassroots development programme. Since February 2015, FC Goa has been reaching out to more than 20,000 children in the 6-12 years age group through their adoption of 17 schools — eight in South Goa and nine in North Goa.
With American Jill Ferguson as CEO of the Forca Goa grassroots development programme, a dozen coaches have been looking after the grooming of talent in these 17 schools. From now on, Viegas will be directly spearheading this development programme with all 12 coaches reporting directly to him.
“One of the main objectives of the Forca Goa grassroots development programme is to create a base of young players who can play for FC Goa in the long run,” Viegas told Gulf News in a brief chat.
“My first task in my new role as grassroots development director will be to bring in this aspect of professionalism in Goan football. From my experience of so many years I feel our young footballers lack this direction of being totally professional from a very early age,” Viegas said.
“The focus of course, will always be to impart values that go along with football to these youngsters,” the midfielder stressed.
Brazilian legend Zico was head coach for FC Goa for the first two seasons, while Spaniard Sergio Lobera was appointed the new coach earlier this month along with former Indian international Derrick Pereira as his assistant.
During his stay in Dubai for 17 years, Viegas managed to complete the FA International Foundation Course offered at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence under the aegis of the English FA’s It’s Just Football. The course is delivered by a qualified coach from the FA and features practical and theory elements on the basics of coaching in football. Earlier this year, Viegas also completed his AIFF D-Licence Course in Goa.
“I am passionate about football and I want to give something back to sport. Dubai has given me and my family — wife Hylette and children Hayden and Hayley — a good quality of life. Being in Dubai has definitely been the best part of my life. But I need to move on,” he said.
“If I was shifting to a different country then things would have been different. But I am going back home with a grand challenge before me. And I am confident of doing my best with this new challenge,” Viegas added.
FACTFILE
Name: Orlando Elvis Viegas
Date of Birth: June 17, 1967
Residence: Navelim, Goa, India
Clubs played for: Salcette FC (1987’-88); Dempo SC (1988-1995); Churchill Brothers (1996-’97); Dempo SC (1997-’99); Vasco SC (1999-2000)
Goa: Sub-juniors (1984-’85); Juniors (1986-’89); Seniors (1989-1995)
Achievements: Santosh Trophy Champions (1989); Santosh Trophy Runners-up (1992 and 1995)
Website: www.forcagoa.com; www.fcgoa.in
