Champions Churchill accorded warm welcome

Federation Cup champions Churchill Brothers SC were accorded a warm welcome by their fans and well-wishers upon their arrival at Dabolim airport here on Sunday.

Club chief Churchill Alemao and CEO Valanka Alemao were among the firsts to receive the victorious team who lifted the prestigious trophy defeating state rivals Sporting Clube de Goa 3-2 in the finals at Kochin, Kerala on Saturday.  

“Hard work and dedication are the keys to success and Churchill Brothers have proved it by winning the Federation Cup,” Valanka said while speaking to Navhind Times daily. 

“This is the victory of Goa and it has once again showed that Goa is the powerhouse of football in India,” she said.

Valanka dedicated the trophy to their technical director Subhash Bhowmick, coach Mariano Dias, her uncle, family members, officials and kit boys of the team and her father Churchill Alemao who has been a great strength to the team.

Stating that Churchill Brothers, of late, have gone through a real testing period, Valanka said she is happy for the team as they overcame all the challenges to emerge victors.

“I am proud of Churchill Brothers who have once again proved that they are the true champions by wining the coveted Federation Cup,” she said.

About her team’s chances in the remainder of the I-League season, the club CEO said she is confident that Churchill Brothers will bounce back although they lie at the bottom of the points table. 

Club patron Churchill Alemao said, “Winning the Federation Cup by the Churchill Brothers is a god’s gift,” and added that the players played like a family with the support and motivation from technical director Subhash Bhowmick and coach 

Mariano Dias.

“It is for the first time in the history of Indian football that a team has won the championship remaining unbeaten throughout,” he said.

Coach Mariano Dias said the unity among the players and the team work fetched them the success as they went into the tournament with determination and improved match 

by match.

“Our responsibility from here on has increased and we will have to improve our standings in the I- League,” Dias said.

Navhind Times