UGC 36TH SOCCER TOURNEY IN KUWAIT.

UNITED GOANS CENTER 36th TOURNEY KICKS OFF WITH 19 PARTICIPATING TEAMS.

Goa Maroons, Curtorcares United, Skynet and DHL emerged victorious in Week 1:

The 36th edition began with four games played on October 7th at Shuwaikh MOH grounds. A one minute silence was observed at the beginning of all the games for the sad demise of the father of AVC player Molvito Mascarenhas.

In the first match Goa Maroons took on Santos Football Club, Goa Maroons took advantage of a defensive lapse from Santos keeper and No. 17 Steven Rodrigues made no mistake in scoring. Goa Maroons then began to gain more control in the midfield over Santos and began dominating proceedings. Steven Rodrigues scored in twenty minutes of the game from a fine cross to double the lead. In the second half, Goa Maroons picked up where they left off from and Steven finished with four goals in the game. Santos defense were not able to stop him. Goa Maroons was not done yet, Kennedy scored from a spot kick and Patrick had a class finish to end the game at 6-0 in favor of Maroons. This was a fine display of football from Goa Maroons and they clearly outplayed their opponents. This match was refereed by Edward, Connie and Casmiro.

The second match began at 8:00, where FC Sparx took on Curtorcares United. FC Sparx started well taking advantage of a defensive lapse at the back and Rajesh Gopal was there to make a clean finish. But the experience of Curtocares began to show when they started to play good attacking football and creating a lot of goal scoring chances, but were denied by the FC Sparx keeper. Towards the end of the first half, Curtocares had a free kick and No.19 Jose Cardozo well placed shot gave the keeper no chance and the match was leveled during half-time. Curtocares started the second half looking for the win but the FC Sparx defense was not making it easy for them. No.6 Braz of Curtocares found the answer from a long range effort which the Sparx keeper failed to keep out. No. 27 Kevin of FC Sparx had a chance to level the game but the keeper made a fine save to deny the equalizer. The match ended in Curtocares favor and credit goes to them as they filled their team without some of their regular players. This match was refereed by Jerry, Arnold and Roshan.

In the third match, last year’s champions United Friends Clubs were beaten by Skynet by a goal margin. Both the teams started playing well in the first half but failed to apply the finishing touches in front of goal. Marcelin of Skynet hit the post, but Domnic of Skynet took his chance when UFC failed to mark him at the back. Remedio who played really well last year and was instrumental in the success of UFC winning the cup then, received two yellow cards in the first half and was deservedly sent off. Playing a man down was always going to be difficult for UFC, and they tried everything posible. Edward from Skynet had a good game marshaling his players from the mid and springing attack from the flanks. His skillful play created a lot of pressure for the UFC backs. They had a few good chances but they were unable to beat the keeper. Even in the dying minutes, UFC had a golden opportunity to equalize but they failed to do so. Skynet held on to their slender lead to progress to the next stage. The match officials for this game were Edward, Rosario and Connie.

In the last match DHL donning their favorite yellow jersey and Navelim in blue was a thrilling encounter. Both the teams started very strongly but it was DHL first shot on goal by Basheer hit the post and the rebound was collected by the keeper. No. 18 Anil Takuri drilled a ferocious shot as he was left unmarked by the Navelim defense to give DHL the lead in the first half. Navelim responded with a double subsitituion in the first half. DHL continued to play and created more chances among the two. The second half started with Navelim eager to find the equalizer and Cruzeido Rodrigues sharp header leveled the match. DHL then bought on a couple of substitutes who immediately made an impact. Terrance #4 took a cracking shot on goal to give DHL the lead 2-0. DHL scored another goal to make it 3-1 but it was ruled offside by the referee. Navelim created some chances but they failed to find target or trouble the keeper. DHL will face Curtocares in the next round and Goa Maroons will face Skynet Raiders. This match was refereed by Jerry, Victor and Romeo.

Next Fridays Fixtures OCT-14-20116:30 am: KGA Vs Indian Strikers8:00 am: DON BOSCO VS C.R.C9:30 am: YRC Rising Vs Real Betalbatim F.C11:00 am: AVC Vs Santos United.

Forwarded by UG.

THE ANSWER IS FRIGHTENING.

Bob Dylan’s song “Blowing in the wind” inspired me to write about Digambar Kamat and mining.

The Answer Is Frightening Indeed

How many times will Kamat turn his head,
pretend that he just doesn’t see ?
For how many more years will our rivers be silted,
before they overflow their banks?
How many more floods do we need to see,
Before Kamat realizes his folly ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

How many more explosives do need to explode,
before our forests are destroyed ?
How many more years can our mountains sustain,
before they are reduced to mere rubble?
How many years will they continue their assault,
before whole of Goa is devoured ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

How many more wells and springs should go dry,
Before we all die of thirst ?
How much more land should be made infertile,
Before hunger kills us all ?
And how many more deaths and disasters will it take,
to realise that it’s not just worth it ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

For how much longer will Kamat play dumb,
and say that illegal mining doesn't exist?
How many more years will Kamat’s eyes be closed,
before he sees and accepts the truth ?
And how many more ears should Kamat have,
before he can hear our people cry ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.
The answer my friend is certainly blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.

WITH POLITICAL BLESSINGS TWO GOVT. OFFICERS REFUSE PROMOTION.

WITH POLITICAL BLESSINGS TWO GOVT OFFICERS REFUSE PROMOTION.

While most government officers actively lobby for promotion, in afirst of its kind two Goa government officers have refused to accept the promotion accorded to them. The two officers have managed to get their promotions cancelled for now. This has been revealed in information obtained by Adv Aires Rodrigues under the Right toInformation Act.

By an order dated 8th August 2011 the Goa Government had promoted Margao Civil Registrar Mr. Chandrakant Pissurlekar as Deputy District Registrar. Mr. Pissurlekar who hails from Speaker Pratapsingh Rane’s Poriem constituency has managed through political patronage to scuttle his promotion and continue as Margao Civil Registrar. Mr. Pissurlekar was promoted as Deputy District Registrar and not District Registrar as he does not have a degree in law which is mandatory for the post ofDistrict Registrar according to the recruitment rules.

By an another order also issued on 8th August 2011 Ponda Civil Registrar Mr. Ramdas Pednekar was promoted as District Registrar. It has been alleged that he too has canceled his promotion and continues as Ponda Civil Registrar with the blessings of his political godfathers.

Interestingly Mr. Ramdas Pednekar while declining to accept his promotion, cited health reasons stating that he was suffering from back problems. Ironically Mr. Pednekar who lives at Mapusa and is currently posted as Civil Registrar Ponda would have been posted at Panaji and would infact have had to travel 30 kms less every morning to reach his workplace had he accepted the promotion.

Both the officers who are currently Class B officers had been promotedas Class A gazetted officers and their monthly pay emoluments wouldhave been enhanced by around Rs 15,000/-. The question worth askingis why have the officers refused the promotions.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today stated that the case in point reflectsthe total collapse in the administration with officers now refusing apromotion to remain at their current lucrative postings.

Adv. Rodrigues has alleged that the two officers prefer to remain asCivil registrars at the taluka level so that they can gain more illegal pecuniary benefits by fleecing the public as Civil Registrars.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that these two officers have refused thepromotion because their posting at the head office on promotion wouldhave effectively terminated their corrupt practices.

Stating that the motives of these two officers are very clear, Adv.Rodrigues has stated that so many complaints of corrupt practices were pending against them with the Goa Government.

Adv. Rodrigues has demanded that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat andChief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava should crack the whip on these two erring officers who have declined their promotion for ulterior motives.