Gujarat raring to have a go

BANGALORE, FEB. 3. A day prior to the commencement of the Junior National football tournament the focus was on the high spirits of the Gujarat squad. Despite the devastation in the State the team landed here determined to give its best.

Mr. Glen Colaco, coach of the Gujarat team said, ``the squad was at Baroda when the quake hit. Though we felt the tremors there was no disaster. The players were shocked with the news from other areas and the camp which began practice at around 8 a.m. was immediately disbanded so that players could go back and be present with their families. When all the players called back to say everything was alright at their homes, the Association decided to participate in the tournament.

``We have a fairly good team and our strength lies with half back Mukesh Parmar (a SAI Gujarat player), Cheth Bahadur (forward), Manoj Madhu (half-back) and Edwin Fernandez (SAI trainee and striker).

Meanwhile preparations at the two venues was on in full swing. At the YMCA ground, Mr. A.R. Khaleeli, President of the State Football Association was personally supervising the preparation. Eight of the 21 teams in the fray had landed in the city and more were expected by various trains touching the city. For the teams that had already landed practice facilities were provided at the stadia they were stationed at.

Mr. Mohan Raj, Secretary Karnataka State Football Associaion said the spectre of overage players had not affected the tournament as of now. All teams that had landed had their players' ages verified and there was nothing amiss. Mr. Raj also said that the mandatory Cooper Test for the verification of referees' fitness had been conducted and all had passed the test.

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Section  : Sport
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