from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Mar 9: Goa government on Thursday said that the state team lost Santosh trophy 2006 as players could not report for the preparatory camps.

"The team members were representing the country and busy playing for other clubs in Bengal and Maharashtra," Pandurang Madkaikar, minister for sports and youth affairs, told the ongoing state legislative assembly, this afternoon.

Goa, the soccer-friendly state, boasting of major national football teams, won the finals of 2005 santosh trophy while failed to qualify for finals in 2006.

The state lost the 2006 santosh trophy quarter finals to Punjab state in the game held at Haryana. The state was winner of 2005 Santosh Trophy by defeating   Maharashtra state team in the tournament held at Cochin in Kerala.

"As clarified by the Goa football association, it is informed that the performance of the state team in 2006 was below their expectation due to the fact that team did not have much time for preparations due to the tight schedule of tournament," Madkaikar said replying to a question tabled by BJP legislator Fransic D'Souza.