A day after mid-day highlighted concerns about missing corner flags and poor-quality match balls during the ongoing boys U-16 Division-III and U-16 Ahmed Sailor inter-school football tournaments at Azad Maidan, organisers Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) have acted swiftly to rectify things. On Wednesday, MSSA football secretary Sebastian Fernandes ensured the missing corner flags were replaced and new match balls were provided for the day’s pre-quarterfinal matches.
Sebastian Fernandes, MSSA Football secretary, on Wednesday
Committed to change
He assured mid-day that the 133-year-old schools’ sports association with over 465 affiliated schools remains committed to addressing concerns and improving facilities for young footballers. “As promised, I have fixed the problems and kept my word. If any issues are brought to my notice, I will always try to sort them out. We realise the importance of grassroots football, and will continue to do our best every day and provide children with the required facilities,” Fernandes told mid-day.
The new football that Mumbai School Sports Association procured was used in the game where St Stanislaus High School, Bandra, (yellow) beat Cathedral and John Connon (purple), on Wednesday. PICS/ASHISH RAJE
Coaches happy
St Mary’s School ICSE (Mazagaon) coach Anthony Albuquerque welcomed the move. “It’s encouraging to see MSSA respond so quickly. We had four new match balls for our game today, and the difference in play was clear right from the start. The balls travelled better and allowed the players to pass and shoot with confidence,” he said.
Christ Church School (Byculla) coach Ranzie Kalicharan said the rightly placed flags were a good move too. “While the new match balls made a noticeable difference, the properly placed corner flags also helped referees in accurate decision-making on corners and goal-kicks,” said Kalicharan.
