Manuel at my place.
The competitive
foot-ball for Goans and for other Indians was first time started in Kuwait in
1979 by the Goan Club, United Goans Foot-ball Center popularly known as UG and it
was headed by once an ace Goan player from Siolim, Bardez, Antonio Lawrence Fernandes.
With the exception of final, all other matches were played at Sour Grounds, 1
& 2 all in the afternoons. Lot of
Goans and others participated in this soccer among whom some are still in Kuwait
from the time of the inception of this tournament and till now they are
actively taking part in this soccer extravaganza. One such Goan is none other than Manuel D’Costa
from St. Cruz, Ilhas, Goa who is still working in Kuwait and living with his
family peacefully. However, till now he
has not detached himself from this soccer and currently he is the chief of
newly formed Goan Foot-ball Association which caters to the needs of Goan boys.
When he first started in 1979, he was the member of G.O.A. B team, later on he
joined other clubs but for the current Association he is firm since he is doing
lot of hard work to raise the level of his team.
He is very much supported
in this association by some of his colleagues and his family too and he is
grateful to them for their support.
Since currently our soccer is gone into the hands of non-Goans in all
respects, yet Manuel is maintaining Goan identity thru this Association and he
feels happy that many Goans are supporting him for keeping the banner of Goa
and Goans high.
Since he is in Goa now,
a few days back he paid me a visit at Caandolim where we discussed so many
things regarding our past foot-ball activities, his support for Goan causes and
his plans for Goa when he retires from Kuwait. I was highly pleased to welcome
him at my place where he spent his time with me. He is the same Manuel whom I last saw in
Kuwait 6 years back, a simple and humble Goan with all the Goan attributes.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
