G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY - KUWAIT SOCCER.

DON BOSCO, REAL BETALBATIM  AND UNITED FRIENDS CLUB WIN.

                
                                           

Don Bosco

Real Betalbatim

                                                                            UFC
                                                                             

Defending champions Navelim Youth Centre and former champions and hosts Goa Maroons were knocked out in the pre-quarter final stages, while Real Betalbatim scraped through to their first semi-final in the 19th edition of the ongoing G.O.A Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) and played at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh on 8th February 2013 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation.

In the day’s first match, Don Bosco Oratory subdued mighty Goa Maroons 2-0 in an end to end action encounter. Both the goals were scored in the second half when Loyed Mascarenhas outran James in the Goa Maroons defence to slot home from an acute angle. Few minutes later, classy Michael Dias made it 2-0 when he latched on to a defence splitting pass from Vicky to score past the diving Maroons keeper to ensure their progress into the quarters. Goa Maroons who started the game very well and had the better chances in the first fifteen minutes could not keep the tempo in the second half. Any chance of equalizing faded when Sandy’s fierce volley in the second half was well blocked by DBO keeper Alido. The match was ably handled by Francis, John and Sharma.

A hugely improved Real Betalbatim defended well and missed several chances themselves to hold favorites DHL Football Club to a goalless draw. DHL FC missing their star central midfielder Vico made a few good moves but were goal shy and the Real Betalbatim defence led by Theodore Pinto stood firm. In the ensuing tie-breaker Terrence D'Çosta missed his penalty for DHL FC to give Real Betalbatim their first semi-final slot in this prestigious tournament. The match was officiated by Nicholas, Sharma and Sarto.

In the last match of the day, United Friends Club held their nerves in a heart stopping penalty shootout to win 3-2 (normal time score 1-1) against Navelim Youth Centre. The match was played at a blistering pace and UFC were the first to score when Jamnas’s header bounced its way to the goal beating the Navelim defence and goalkeeper Britto. Navelim however led by Cruzedio and Duarte Ferrao fought back strongly and go the equalizer in the second half when Ivo Rodrigues managed to squeeze on past goalkeeper Martin Dias in a goalmouth melee. Navelim brought in their super sub, Gasper Crasto in the last fifteen minutes of the game hoping to use his experience to find the winner, but to no avail and the match ended in a draw. In the tie-breaker, Martin Dias of UFC was the hero when he saved the sixth penalty to move his team to the quarter finals. The match was officiated by Pascoal, Francis and Alvaro of IFRA.

The quarter final matches of this prestigious tournament continue on 15th February 2013, as Kuwait Goan Association take of United Friends Club at 6:45am, followed by AVC playing Santos United at 8:15am. The last match of the day will feature Kerala Challengers versus Don Bosco Oratory at 9:45am

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

HUSHING THE RAPE AND SHIELDING THE RAPIST

By Aires Rodrigues

It is almost one month that the 7 year old Vasco girl was brutally raped in her school premises in broad daylight. Ironically it was the very reputed Deepvihar Primary School run by the Mormugoa Port Trust. It seems that for obvious reasons the investigating authorities have failed to make any headway to nab the culprit and book the others who went out of the way to destroy vital evidence. The parents of this tender young girl have been running from pillar to post when justice should have been delivered at their door step.

The parents of this traumatized girl have now approached me to try and legally get them justice. As a lawyer and more so as a citizen I would have been failing in my bounden duty if I fail to assist them. The legal profession cannot be just about making money. We need to rise to the occasion when justice evades the deserving.

A perusal of the sequence of events right from the rape till date is very disturbing. There has clearly been a sustained cover up of this heinous crime.

Though the rape was committed at 10.30 am the police were informed only three hours later. The father of the girl was informed 45 mins after the rape. Shockingly the grieving 7 year old received medical attention only over eight hours after she was brutally raped. All this while the school management was busy washing away all traces of evidence.

The Headmistress of the school was suspended only on the 19th, five long days after the crime. She has allegedly been booked for negligence but not for destroying evidence. She was arrested but did not have to cool her heels in the police lock-up as she was privileged to get preferential comfort during her brief police custody.

The Class teacher and the Head clerk though have not been booked till date for having destroyed all the vital evidence. They have only been suspended and that too on the 21st, eight days after the crime. Is the class teacher being shielded because her husband is an active worker of the ruling party? It was imperative for the investigating officers to get all the call details of the phones used by the Headmistress and the other teachers while they were washing out all the evidence.

The Chief Minister who is also the Education Minister reached the school 10 hours after the rape took place. He visited the school while attending the birthday party of the local MLA in the neighborhood. How could the MLA have celebrated his birthday when the same morning a 7 year student was raped not far from his residence?

Infact politicians should keep away from visiting scenes of any offences as they only delay and distract police investigation. The Supreme Court has infact time and again reiterated that the police investigation should be insulated from any political interference and cover up.

To rub salt in the wound, an official of the Mormugoa Port Trust visited the parents of the child on 16 Feb with a draft of Rs five lakhs in an attempt to silence the parents and cover up the crime. The parents were brave and spurned the five lakhs. The MPT later transferred that official but the bottom line remains that the official had gone on the instructions of the MPT Chairman and the five lakh draft which was allegedly hush money was drawn at Andhra Bank by the MPT.

As the rapist was allegedly seen at the school on earlier occasions, the security guards on duty and their entry registers at the Security office needed to be scruplosuly scrutinized.

The plea of the parents to the authorities that their 7 year old traumatized girl be immediately provided counseling services also fell on deaf ears. The Counselor was provided only on 3rd Feb which is 18 days after the crime. The counseling should have been instant when the extent of trauma was at its peak.

The family has been seeking answers from the authorities but all in vain. There should have been more care, compassion and better communication by the authorities. Is it because the parents belong to the Schedule Tribe community and not very well to do.

A perusal of this rape case establishes a total collapse of the system which has failed to bring solace to the grieving victim and her sorrowful parents. Did we as Goans do enough to stand by this young girl and show her our love and concern? Sadly no. Shame on us, Goa. Will it take the rape of our very own child to understand the trauma that this young innocent girl has had to go through with her parents?