History
Daman
and Diu Football Association (DDFA), was the All
India Football Federation (AIFF) registered organising /
governing body for Football for the UT of Daman and Diu
and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Brief History
Daman
was ruled by Portuguese till 1961, due to this, Daman
had close connection with this beautiful game of
Football, as this sport was played largely by all strata
of society.
Daman
And Diu Football Association (DDFA) was formed
and registered under The Societies Registration Act on
31st August 1994, with the main objective to
promote and develop Football in the UT of Daman and
Diu.
The Indian National Football School Games U-17, was held
for the first time in Daman where in 22 States of India
participated in the tournament in the year
1992-93.
Thereafter,
Shri Ashok Khemani was inducted as the President of DDFA
and got this DDFA (Daman and Diu Football Association)
affiliated and registered with the All India Football
Federation (AIFF), which is the only governing body for
Football for India.
In
2019, under the Central Government notification, the two
Union Territories (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
also Daman and Diu were merged into one UT. Consequent
to this notification, AIFF (All India Football
Federation) directed DDFA (Daman and Diu Football
Association) to merge the Football Association of the UT
of Dadra and Nagar Haveli into DDFA (Daman and Diu
Football Association).
Accordingly,
in 2023, as per the directives of AIFF, Dadra and Nagar
Haveli Football Association was merged into Daman and
Diu Football Association (DDFA) and it was renamed as
“DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION” (DNHDDFA).
Currently,
Shri. Amit A Khemani is its President and Shri. Walter
Edward Pereira is the Hon. Secretary of DNHDDFA. (Dadra
Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Football Association.
Earlier,
DDFA (Daman and Diu Football Association) had conducted
OORJA CAPF’s to support the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s
initiative “OORJA CAPF’s Youth under 19 Football talents
Hunt Tournament 2017”.
The
first phase was played from 1st May 2017 at Moti Daman
football ground. It was a part of the “Mission XI
Million” programme designed to continue and encourage
the Football movement in the country.
DNHDDFA(Dadra
and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Football
Association) have also decided to be proactive
and ensure that the whole hearted cooperation is
extended to develop this national cause and encourage
our youth of Daman and Diu and now along with Dadra and
Nagar Haveli to spread the awareness of this game of
Football.
Currently
DNHDDFA (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Football Association) participates in various
national championships that are conducted under the
aegis of AIFF (All India Football Federation) in both
Men’s and Women’s category.
The
teams undergo training at the DMC ground, also known as
the Moti Daman Ground, which is under the control of the
Daman Municipal Council.