Cibaria –
Necessaria – Sumite – Et – Abite when translated from Latin it becomes: Take
the necessary food and depart.
Seen at right seated is the Chief Guest Raymond D'Sa
That was the motto of
the school then when it was established by Fr. Lyons a non Goan who got himself
cured of his dreaded skin desease bcause of which he was thrown out of the
Seminary where he was doing his priestly studies. When somebody told him to go
to Goa where there are Springs whose curative water will cure you, he came to
Goa and went to Sinquerim where after doing the needful he was cured.
Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Flower Bouquet.
Almost after quarter of
a century I got an opportunity to witness the Sports Day of Arpora St. Joseph’s
High School, where I studied up to my SSC
and won laurels for me during the School Meets by winning 100, 200, 400
& 800 mtres races and thereby winning individual Championship. Later on representing my
School in the All Goa Inter-School Athletics Meets also winning individual
Championship and even declaring as the fastest runner of Goa. I am grateful to my Alma Mater for
giving me so many opportunities in my life as a student to develop myself not only in sports but also in many other segments of my life.
Seen addressing the gathering is Fr. Urbano Menezes - Principal of the School.
.
If today what I am it is only because of the
excellent discipline, coaching and guidance I got from my school. All my
teachers were not only teachers for me but they were also fatherly figures to
me, they were Gurus to me and above all
they were true friends to me. I salute
them all because they were sincere, devoted and genuine teachers. For this reason I still
remember them. Of course those were the days of Fr. Mendonsa and Fr. Peter.
Seen above seated are 4 ladies - 2 at the right, one wearing the red dress, both compeered the proceedings beautifully with their charming mellifluent voices.
Who was Fr.
Mendonca? He was the great educationist
interested in the development of Goan youth. Annual Sports Day of the school at
Arpora was the greatest day for him and to make it successful he was devoting
his more time. He would print Invitations and send to all his friends,
ex-students, government officials and important personalities not only to those
residing in the vicinity of the school but all over Goa. Separately he would make announcements thru the local media. The greatness of the
Meet during Fr. Mendonca’s time surrounded on the Tableau of which type you don’t
see anywhere in Goa now, leave aside at Arpora.
He used to display latest incidents and events taken place not only in
Goa but all around the globe, the election of the Pope somewhere in 1959 was
the most striking display. The other was
this: Somewhere in 1959 the renowned Portuguez terrorist Galvao Pinto hijacked in the deep sea,
off the Azores Coast, the Portuguez Ship Santa Maria killing its Captain and creating havoc with
the passengers. This was very
beautifully displayed by Fr. Mendonca.
Seen is one section of the huge crowd attending the Meet.
The Chief Guest was
none other than the ex-student of this great school, Raymond D’Sa who finished
his Matriculation thru this school in mid-fifties. Raymond D’Sa was one of the best students of
this school during his school days
excelling not only in studies but also in extracurricular activities and
sports being his forte and even representing his school soccer team. Then he went to Kuwait where he joined the
prestigious Bank – The National Bank of Kuwait where he worked for about half a
century and retired recently. A father of
3 children all are based in USA and he settling down in Goa at Nagoa-Bardez in
the absence of his beloved wife who expired a few years back in Kuwait, Raymond
D’Sa’s love for Goa, Goan language Konkani, Goan culture, tradition, history,
folk songs and folk tales is supreme.
Seen above is the School building.
In Kuwait not only among
Goans but even among Indians and other nationalities he earned name and fame
for himself as a promoter of sports in Kuwait among the expatriates and
promoting soccer was his unique especiality.
He was the founding president of one of the renowned Goan organisations the “GOAN OVERSEAS
ASSOCIATION” that has created more ripples among Goans than anyother G.O.A. established
by the overseas Goans. Under his dynamic
leadership which was based on his understanding carefully of the prevailing
situation, patience and logic, he worked successfully as president for about 40
years. G.O.A. Maroons was the renowned
soccer team of G.O.A. among the expatriates in Kuwait that was the force to reckon with
for many years and this Goan team had a unique distinction of winning the “Forest
of Dean RA” Throphy. This team at that time played in
the difficult conditions and time even at midnight and defeated all the hard
opponents even from the Westerners.
Starting point of Hundred Metres race for boys.
As a president Raymond
D’Sa whose craze and extreme love for soccer did everything within his capacity
to help his boys to overcome all the hurdles to reach to the top and spent lot
of money from his own pocket. He was the
most clean president among all the Goan presidents of Goan teams and
associaitons. Besides, he was the unscandalised person among all the prominent Goans always preferring to be a simple, decent and unpompous. He was even after shouldering
the presidency of G.O.A. for such a lengthy period, never found committing a
goof in his lengthy public life in Kuwait since the formation of G.O.A.Maroons by amalgamating two existing teams,
one headed by Peter D’Souza and the other by Domnick Correia.
Starting point for 100 metres race for Girls.
This man has got vast
potentials to do something for Goa in different fields and he is still having
his youthfulness, someone must avail of his talent and experience. He worked as a high profile executive in the
Bank holding the top managerial position of which type none of the Goans in
Kuwait held. He brought great honour for
Goa and Goans.
One of the Drill items based on Yoga - all girls displaying their talent .
In his scholarly speech during
the sports Meet, with his beautiful eloquence, appropriate vocabulary and
perfect clarity he expressed the greatness of this school, his memory of those
days’ Sports at Arpora and of course not forgetting Fr. Mendonca who brought
honour, respect and dignity for this school. Will we ever get another Fr.
Mendonca again? I doubt, because such
personalities comes in our society only once in centuries.
Seen above is Relay Race for girls in progress, 4 x 100 mtrs.
No doubt the level of
sports was not as good as it was during my days but during my days we were different
type of boys while currently they are like tiny tots dotted with innumerable
Allappas, Chalappas, Bassappas. The meet
was well attended by a huge crowd of spectators. At the dais one could see
occupying the strategic chairs by the Chief Guest, Principal of the School and
Manager of the Meet Fr. Urbano Menezes, Head Master of the school Rodney
Pereira and others.
Seen above is my teacher Lino D'Souza.
My nostalgic feelings
aroused when I stepped on the ground and
especially when I met some of my old school colleagues and teachers especially
Mr. Lino D’Souza from Guirim who was my teacher and the best friend, best guide
and best tutor.
Seen above is one of the Drill items
.
If I succeeded in
finishing my SSC then it was partly because of him who was constantly after my
studies knowing well that being the topmost athlete of Goa and one of the best
foot-ballers of Goa representing the then mighty SESA GOA, I am having lot of
obstacles. Sir Lino, I am grateful to
you for all what you have done to me.
The most dangerous item performed by the most courageous young boys.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
