Goa Pro League 2020-21: New season likely to begin in December

Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa have been declared as joint-winners of the 2019-20 season.

Football is gradually on its way of resumption with the Indian Super League (ISL) scheduled to start in November in Goa. The football loving state will also witness local football soon as the Goa Football Association (GFA) has proposed tentative dates for the Goa Pro League in December.

The decision was taken in the Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday at the Duler Stadium after a period of almost nine months. The Committee also decided to declare Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa as joint champions of the Goa Pro League 2019-20. The two sides were chasing for the title when the lockdown due to COVID-19 began. Sporting were leading the table with 44 points with two games in hand, while the Red Machines had five matches in hand and were placed third on the table with 37 points.

"Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa have been named joint-champions of GPL 2019-20. It has also been decided to start the new season of GPL in December," a member of the Executive Committee informed Khel Now on condition of anonymity.

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A week ago, the All India Football Association (AIFF) had decided to wave off the Central Registration System (CRS) fee for the upcoming season but the Goa State Association decided to charge their share of part. "Though AIFF will not charge CRS fees for the upcoming season, it was decided to charge the same," he added.

Moreover, GFA has also proposed to promote all eight teams from Second Division League to the First Division League in 2020-21-- which had qualified for the playoffs. The 2019-20 season did not witness the first division league due to the coronavirus pandemic but the upcoming season will most likely witness the second tier with 20 teams which will be divided into two zones -- South Goa and North Goa.

"We have decided to promote all eight teams from second division playoffs but first, they will be intimated and if they are ready, then the upcoming First Division League will be of 20 teams," he further informed.

Further, the Executive Committee also decided to grant Anthony Barbosa from Youth Club of Manora, Salcete a membership to replace the late Jose Santarita Coelho.

The Annual General Body Meeting for the season 2020-21 was not held due to the pandemic situation in the state but GFA President Churchill Alemao has promised to address all the clubs over a Zoom call in the month of October. They have also decided to send the renewal forms to all the clubs for the 2020-21 season.