UNITED GOANS CUP FINAL IN KUWAIT.

Seen in the picture above are the winners UFC.



United Goans Center, on Friday, 19th of this month at 9.00 AM, held the final of the 34th edition of their soccer tournament at Ministry of Health Ground, Shuwaikh, Kuwait. The final was played between the winners United Friends Club and the runners-up CRC Chinchinnim, the winners clinched the victory by one goal without reply, the all important goal was scored by UFC’s Rosario Fernandes from the spot kick in the first half. UGC organized this tournament under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation and co-sponsored by Gulf Bank, Kuwait. The Fair Play Team award in the name of former UGC President, the late Joe Fernandes, was presented to KGA.




United Goans Center is the oldest surviving soccer Club of Indians in Kuwait. It was established in 1976 and it started its first competitive soccer tournament for Indians in general and Goans in particular at the then famous Sour Ground in 1979. To initiate the first ever soccer tournament in 1979, UGC’s the then stalwarts namely Diogo Gomes from Bastora, Custodio Crasto from Navelim, Joe F.X. D’Souza from Assagao, Moses Menezes from Candolim, Tony Gonsalves from Divar, Joe Fernandes from Colva, Antonio Lawrence Fernades from Siolim and others gave their best not only to initiate but to keep it going. Some of the above named stalwarts are no more in Kuwait now, some are dead while some retired from Kuwait while Tony Gonsalves is still going strong and doing a wonderful job for the club and soccer with the help of the new comers, including Pascoal Afonso their current president. Because of the initiative of UGC then, soccer for us Goans and other Indians is still surviving and going strong. It is become a very good link for very many to get many positive benefits. The small and the first step initially taken by UGC then proved to be a momentous and gigantic, its titanic effects are still creating ripples amongst us in Kuwait.




Because of our football activities many boys got many benefits from their clubs, many unknown persons became known in society otherwise they would remain as non entities inspite of having position, power, status and money. For many of them, it was our soccer that made them famous. All of them should be grateful to UGC not only to create history but also to keep the history alive.



Since its inception, many great Goan players played soccer in our tournaments, some of them not only donning the colours of great Goan teams in Goa but many of them donning the colours of Goa and India. For this reason those days the standard of our soccer in Kuwait was high compared to what it is now. Many of those days players were seasoned and matured while coming to Kuwait itself and not the freshers as many are now who learnt to kick the football in Kuwait. Besides, during those days there was no dirty and unChristian politics going on as it is now for the destruction of our soccer and unity. Those who are involved in creating disorder and splits in the smooth functioning of our soccer have never played any role in the initial stages to promote our soccer in Kuwait, they never have experienced any hardship as UGC. Besides, UGC has sacrificed a lot not only to start but also to keep the momentum of our soccer going.





Seen in the picture below is Cajetan Godinho receiving a Memento (Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D'Souza) from UGC President Pascoal Afonso.


Seen in the picture above is Assumption Aguiar giving a Memento (Donated by Albano Pinto) to Miss Abigail Corte, the promising athlete from Indian community School, Salmiya.

Among all the current and yesteryears footballers, Cajetan Godinho from Majorda carries unique distinction to last for such a long period as a player. He played in the first ever league cum knock tournament initiated by UGC at Sour ground and from then till now for the last 30 years he is playing, though at slower pace now. In the beginning he represented now defunct but then mighty team Goan Sporting and the first and the inaugural match of the first ever tourney he played was against Salmiya Youth of Peter D’Souza(Bosch) which was captained by me. Cajetan Godinho was that time like a hero of the field controlling and orchestrating the midfielf majestically well though they lost to our team by two goals to nil but finally went on winning the final, played at Ahmadi KOC Ground defeating UGC, thanks to Cajetan Godinho’s super display of constructive soccer. Playing against him I know how difficult it was to fathom his moves. He was always clean and decent on the field never receiving any Card, neither Red nor Yellow, not even verbal caution from the the Umpires. During one final of Sheikh Agnelo's tournament at Sour Ground in mid eighties, the Brazilian Coach of Kuwait National Team, Carlos Lopes in his capacity as a Chief Guest selected Cajetan Godinho as the best player of the final and while delivering his speech in Portuguese showered abundant praises on Cajetan Godinho's socker skills. And when I spoke to him, Lopes remarked in Portuguese "Godinho!! Grande Jogador". As a mark of appreciation he was presented by the organizers with a Memento after the final on 19th.

One of the great Goan athletes of yesteryears who made his great mark on the Athletics Field of Goa and made his presence felt on that day for the final as a guest was Assumption Aguiar from Divar. During his school days at Monte de Guirim in mid sixties as a boarder, he was the fastest runner of Goa excelling in 100, 200 and 400 metres and with these three important items he won the individual Championship at All Goa Athletics Meet held at Dom Bosco Ground, Panjim in 1965-66. In that meet he even defeated the mighty Sardarjis from Cops of Signal (Millitary) stationed at Ponda and Bambolim. Special Sardarjis and other competent Millitary athletes were brought by the Goa based Indian military from other parts of India only to defeat our Goan Assumption Aguiar but our Aguiar made them mosquitoes. In that Meet in 1965-66, Aguiar was winning individual championship in senior division and I was winning individual championship in junior division also coming out first in 100, 200 and 400 metres, flying the flag of Lions of Arpora high, of course to the thunderous applauding of many of the ex Arporites who gathered to greet Arpora School athletes in that great Meet.

Seen in the picture below is Brigidio Fernandes giving the Man of the Trophy Award (Donated by Leo Coutinho).


Seen in the picture above is UGC stalwart Tony Gonsalves delivering his welcome speech. To his right is Mrs. Pascoal Afonso and to the extreme left wearing Sun Glasses is Mrs. Aguiar, next to her husband seated.

Brigido Fernandes was yet another guest whom I spotted during the final. Brigidio hailing from Siolim was studying at Arpora with me, though he was senior to me, he was an ace footballer of Goa playing for Sesa Goa with me. A sharp shooter and accurate goal scorer, he also played for the then might Calangute in the first division. His skilfull soccer was even applauded by the sporting genius of Goa, the late Fr. Mendonca the then principal of Arpora School. Like me, he had to cut short his soccer career due to injury which he suffered in Bombay while in practice session when he and me clashed each other when we went to play for Rovers Cup. He was a solid muscular boy using both his legs with equal ease.

After the final, in his speech the president of KIFF Fidelis Fernades praised the organizers for organising this tournament successfully. The president of UGC Pascoal Afonso proposed the vote of thanks while Tony Gonsalves welcomed the teams, guests and spectators.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

WISHING KUWAIT ON ITS NATIONAL DAY & LIBERATION DAY

25TH FEBRUARY IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF KUWAIT AND 26TH FEBRUARY IS THE LIBERATION DAY OF KUWAIT.

GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER EXTENDS ITS WARM GREETINGS TO KUWAIT, RULERS OF KUWAIT, GOVERNMENT OF KUWAIT AND ALL THE KUWAITIS,

A. VERONICA FERNANDES,
CONVENOR:GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER.

Bird Watching: Mitra Birding at Carambolim - Goa

Bird watching: Mitra Birding at Carambolim, Goa

By Tallulah D'Silva - Panjim, Goa.

Presented for www.goa-world.com/ E-News http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/

Goa has in recent times seen a number of budding small groups enthused with promoting nature treks and birding. Based at Ponda, one named MITRA has in recent times made a foray into eco activities and with a huge fan following too.

MITRA in Sanskrit means Sun, the source of all life on Earth.

MITRA comprises of young students/individuals that have been popularizing eco sensitivity and awareness about local flora and fauna through many of its treks and activities. The credit of initiating an interest in and a love for nature goes to their teacher and mentor, Ajay Dongre who got them together as part of a Nature Club way back in school. Only a few of them stuck to their passion later on and although pursuing further studies in different streams founded MITRA and thus began an interesting journey of discovering the greens around Ponda.

MITRA's focus is primarily on building awareness about Goa's rich bio heritage and its conservation. Although having organized treks initially in the Mollem area, they have now set sights on other interesting birding sites as well. The recent one on 7th February 2010 was at Carambolim Lake, a known hotspot for migratory birds during winter.

MITRA also conduct related activities like nature orientation camps, lectures by field experts, discussions on environmental issues and even have an animal rescue cell at Ponda. Having been on most of their treks what attracts keen participants is the tact with which they divide all the participants into smaller groups, recommend on observing a trekking etiquette, anti littering and disperse them separately with team leaders so that each can enjoy the experience more intimately with nature.

When in large groups, many a time, this experience turns sour when participants lack certain sensitivity amidst nature and are oft associated with our urban culture, one that is rife with boisterousness, blaring cell phone music, unnecessary flamboyance and a lack of civic sense.

MITRA boasts of members like Omkar Dharwadkar, Rohan Naik, Saish Khandeparkar, Kaustaub Naik, Aniket Amshekar, Mandar Gaude and Utkarsh Tilve, who are not only committed but also resourceful in their knowledge of local plant, insect and bird species. The recent birding at Carambolim had the highest turnout of roughly 65 participants both young and old, keen to learn and excited to be outdoors. With a brief introduction by Ajay Dongre, an avid birder and wildlife enthusiast himself, all were quickly divided into groups of 8 to10 and sent off in different directions.

The trail began at the bridge next to the Station, continued along the railway tracks, along the edge of the lake and a walk into the adjacent fields.

Although quick to assume at first sight that there were very few species, most participants who were birding for the first time were treated to a delightful session of spotting a good variety of waders, dabblers and other species typical to ponds, pond edges and agricultural habitats. Some were excited to spot the little Grebe (or Dabchick, a small water bird) in all its rufous finery making a quick dip in pursuit of fish. Others were thrilled to see groups of Lesser Whistling Teals well camouflaged in the lake vegetation and as easily making themselves visible with an audible whistling as they flapped around. Cotton Pygmy Goose and Garganeys too. The Darter or Snake Bird made a classic entry as it flew low and dipped gracefully. The little Cormorant did its bit of drying its water laden wings after a long dive for food.

A trail along lush green fields

Walking along a canal

Small pratincoles

Bronze winged jacana

Pond herons

Kingfisher

Other waders that could be spotted easily were the commonly seen Pond Herons, a Purple Heron, Cattle Egrets, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Bronze winged Jacana, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Red Wattled Lapwing, Common Green Shank, Wood Sandpiper and Common Moorhen.

The highlight of the trip was the large flock of Small Pratincoles that sat on grassy mounds and pathways all along the green fields and a couple of Asian Openbill Storks that soared around us in a wonderful black and white display.

As small groups walked along trails across the agricultural patches some spotted Black Drongos, Small Blue Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, a pair of Eurasian Marsh Harriers, Ibises, Paddy Field Pipits, Common Stonechats, White rumped Munias and Wagtails while others discovered a large group of Purple Swamp hens in a low lying swamp.

After a rather long walk back all were treated to some delicious samosas and an exchange of pleasantries amongst new participants. It all ended well with a brief interactive session with Paresh Porob, Range Forest Officer, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, recently back from a training stint at the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradhun.

Kudos to the young team from MITRA for having pulled off such an interesting Birding session at the Carambolim Lake.
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:::About the writer:::

Tallulah D'Silva, St. Inez, Panaji, Goa is an Architect, passionately designing and building eco-friendly structures. She also writes a regular column on Green Goa for a monthly magazine called Business Goa. Along with a friend she has founded Mission Green primarily taking up issues and creating awareness on sustainable living.

Tallulah is also a avid bird watcher and nature/wildlife enthusiast.

Links:

http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/

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