Pro facilities need of the hour: Papas

Arthur Papas remembers the day he was left to tear his hair in frustration.

Those were early days at Dempo Sports Club where he had just slipped into the shoes of the hugely-successful Armando Colaco, and did not really like the legacy that was left behind. Not in terms of the success of the team but the overall development of the club, and some of its finer young players.

Nickson Castanha, Papas remembers, was one such player. Raw, susceptible to mistakes but immensely gifted. A fine-tuned Castanha is now a regular in the Dempo squad for the Goa Pro League and has grown by leaps and bounds. Romeo Fernandes is learning; so is Mandar Dessai and several others.

Purely on the basis of results, there may be a lack of progress overall on the team front but the Australian coach -- known as much for his temper as his ability to get the best out of youngsters -- is dteremined to leave his mark even beyond the field.

"It's been an interesting experience," says Papas, gulping down soda water at a resort closer to his sprawling residence in Arpora on Saturday.

"Everyone knows the history (of the club). They've won a lot of championship that creates a perception that it's a big club. It's a successful team, yes, but as a club I've been a bit surprised with what I encountered," said the Australian coach.

What is a necessity in professional football, Papas discovered, is a luxury at his new club. So a separate dressing room for the team, a medical room, their own training ground and several other facilities that are the need of the hour -- and standard norm in a professional club -- were simply not available.

"A lot of things were neglected for a long time. A medical room was not even available, so I got three massage tables, painted the room. These are things at a professional club that you never have to worry about. Fortunately for me, the chairman (Shrinivas Dempo) has been really good.

"I have stuck to what I have said (right from the beginning). We struggled in the Goa league but I insisted on developing younger players. For three-four years, there were young players with potential but potential is nothing unless you give them an opportunity to play," explained Papas, who listed nine under-22 players for a crucial league clash against Churchill Brothers. Dempo won 2-0.

But it is not just these victories that Papas is celebrating.

"Everyone looks at the results and judge. I take responsibility for everything but, despite the lack of results, I have seen a lot of progress on and off the field, although never quick to my liking," he said.

The arrival of five young players from the now defunct Pailan Arrows has given the club more teeth. The likes of Narayan Das and Pronay Halder started the match just three days after they landed here, and the man who shaped these youngsters last season at Pailan Arrows is left in no doubt that the club is now in good shape.

"I know whatever happens with myself, the club will have a long term plan in place. We have a squad already for the next three years. If you keep this group together, you have the best talent in India and that too at a good age. Also, financially, you are a lot more reasonable with what you are doing. It's not fair for the chairman to be spending Rs 15 crores every year. What are you getting back? If you invest in these boys, you will take a hit -- not drastically -- initially but I can guarantee we will be among the best," he said.

Papas said the club needed a long term model which is now being put into place.

"Hopefully, one day, the chairman will get something back. We have generous people in Indian football but we cant rely on that. We need something that is much more sustainable. We need to build a team that produces players not just to be heard in India but outside Indian shores. Then we can call it progress ," said Papas.