Seen in the picture - middle - Churchill Alemao.The State of Kuwait always maintained its independence since time immemorial, even during the imperialism of Ottoman Empire, Kuwait never came under the domination of Turks but part of Iraq yes while Kuwait remained independent. Kuwait always had its independence even though for a certain period it remained as British Protectorate to protect it from external aggression, till 1960 when finally British abdicated its control over Kuwait. Since the time of its total independence in 1960, Kuwait went on developing sports aggressively giving Soccer top priority and thru this aggressive policy created Kuwaiti soccer as power house in this part of the world. In the Gulf Kuwait became the most powerful footballing nation.
In late seventies when Sheikh Fahad took charge of Kuwait soccer governing body, he increased the ferocity of the development of soccer in Kuwait. Under his leadership best soccer teams from all around the globe started visiting Kuwait including Pele’s Santos of Brazil which during its visit to Kuwait stayed in Kuwait city at Hotel Carlton from where many expatriates including Goans had an opportunity to meet and wish Pele. One of my friends Antonio by name from Panjim wished Pele in Portuguese and when Pele heard Antonio wishing him in Portuguese, Pele asked Antonio “Goesa?” and when Antonio replied affirmatively, Pele was very happy.
Goa and Goans were not unknown to Pele, earlier he knew Pe. Chico Monteiro from Candolim as both of them exchanged greeting cards and few of these cards I saw in person with Pe. Chico, signed by Pele.
Coming back to Kuwaiti soccer, to create it as a real powerhouse, under the leadership of Sheikh Fahad who was assassinated by Iraqis on the day of the invasion of Kuwait on 2nd August 1990, Kuwait hired the services of topmost soccer coach in the world, that is Mario Zagalo of Brazil somewhere in 1976. Under Mario Zagalo, Brazil won the Jules Rimet World Cup third time in 1970 and in 1974 again Mario Zagalo was the Manager of Brazil. When Kuwait hired the services of Mario Zagalo, he was the highest paid soccer coach in the world, his monthly salary was US$ 10,000.00 plus other benefits; Carlos Alberto Parreira was the assistant to Zagalo.
When Mario Zagalo who was in Brazilian side of winning World Cup in 1958, took control of Kuwaiti soccer, he totally changed the outlook of Kuwaiti soccer not only at national level but also at lower level. The base was put to produce best of footballers which paid strong dividends for Kuwaiti soccer not only at national level but also at club and junior levels. Because of this Kuwaiti players were respected everywhere. In late seventies Kuwait won the Gulf Nations Cup and in appreciation of this victory Kuwait Government gave as gifts one Bungalow to each player of the winning team. Similar gifts were given to Brazilian World Cup winning team in 1970 by the Brazilian Government.
Capitalising on the strong base put, Kuwait achieved the greatest honour among all the Gulf countries to become the first Gulf nation to participate in the World Cup, in Spain 1982. The team Kuwait had at that time was a dream team consisting of excellent world class players namely Tarabulsi in the goal and dynamic trio of attackers namely Fathi Kameel, Jassim Yacoub and Faisal Dakheel. I am yet to see such players in the whole of Arab World.
The goal in 1982 World Cup in the first round scored by Kuwait’s Faisal Dakheel almost from the centre line against European powerhouse Czechoslovakia was one of the best goals in the whole tournament of that year. The standard of Kuwaiti soccer not only at national level but also at Club level was very high because Kuwaiti national team and Clubs give topmost priority for training their players with the assistance and guidance of top coaches in the world, Brazilain coaches of high standard are much sought after by Kuwaiti clubs. In fact high calibre trainers from Brazil enhanced the standard of Kuwaiti soccer.
Recently a fortnight back topmost Goan Club Churchill Bros fielding majority of non-Goan footballers played competitive soccer match against Kuwait Sporting Club and was easily defeated by a margin of 7-1 goals. This defeat for Churchill Bros. was not only an ordinary defeat but an extra ordinary humiliation for the disgraceful football standard not only of Goa but of entire India.
All the Goans who were vociferously screaming in support of Churchill Bros were shocked not only for the defeat Goan team suffered but more for seeing almost entire Goan team of Churchill Bros comprising non-Goan footballers when Churchill Alemao is known to fight for Goan causes and Goa for Goans' philosophy.
If Goan teams especially Churchill Bros give preferential treatment to non-Goan players then how Goan boys will come up? Kuwaiti teams do not do the way Churchill Bros do, they give preferential treatment to their own local players first and precisely because of this Kuwaiti players faithfully and patriotically give their best for their Kuwaiti Teams’ success.
Churchill Bros soccer team is considered in India as one of the topmost teams of India but when it faced with Kuwaiti Club team, Churchill Bros. collapsed like a pack of cards. Suffering a defeat is one thing but suffering a humiliating defeat is something worse. From this defeat we can make out how backward our football standard is in India in general and in Goa in particular though however much we may harp on the fake greatness of our football in Goa.
Goan football is not high standard soccer. Goa does not produce high standard soccer with high calibre footballers because Goa does not provide facilities and coaching for producing high standard soccer and precisely for this reason Goan teams hire outside players paying them exorbitant fees thereby denying Goan lads opportunity to earn more.
To produce top class soccer in Goa, none of the Goa’s top teams create infrastructure and facilities for their players fit to play top standard soccer. None of the Goan top teams provide Gymnasium for their players to build muscles and physical fitness, none of the top Goan teams acquire the services of Dieticians to check the diet of their players which is very essential. In the absence of such, and other required facilities Goan teams will never be able to rise on top to play top grade soccer in Asia.
In order to improve and raise our soccer standard we must hire topmost coaches and allow these coaches to put a strong base at grassroots level. Hiring of third grade coaches from Brazil and elsewhere will never improve our soccer standard. The junior level players from Kuwait are showing lot of dynamism because in the beginning itself in the soccer Kindergartens they are given very good training.
We in India many times form soccer teams only to promote our political future just as Berlusconi did in Italy to gain political limelight and to become Prime Minister of Italy. Similar Berlusconis we have many in India who are waiting to become Prime Ministers of India and Presidents of clubs. Italian Berlusconi at least is doing something great thru his team AC Milan making his team a real powerhouse but our Berlusconis and Prime Ministers in waiting only push their political ambition higher thru their soccer teams. For this reason Indian soccer is not going up and in such circumstances it will never go up but will remain stagnant.
Baichung Bhuttia the topmost footballer of India could not even fit into the Third Division Team of England. What a shame it was!! This is the only baramoter for us to know the standard of our soccer. To develop Indian soccer and Goan football in particular we need soccer promoters totally dedicated to the improvement of soccer in our land, just like the late Sheikh Fahad and not those who think of promoting their political career and other ambitions.
Managing a soccer team successfully is not a joke. After their victory in 1978 World Cup in Argentina, its Manager Cesar Menotti came into such a heavy demand that in every 48 hours he was receiving one offer from all around the globe to manage their Club or national teams; this process of offers lasted for 3 months continuously. What type of team managers are we having in Goa in particular and in India in general to guide our teams to reach to the top?
When Churchill Bros lost to Kuwaiti Club by 7 – 1 margin, even some Kuwaitis who loved Goa and Goans felt very bad since they got lot of sympathy for Goa and Goans because during the invasion of Kuwait Goans under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center did lot of activities in support of Kuwait’s liberation. The love and affection Goans thru Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center got from Kuwait and Kuwaitis is shared with all Goans including with those who never bothered to support Kuwaiti cause then thinking Kuwait is gone from the World Map.
Meanwhile, there's another chance for Goan football to prove its level when Churchill Bros play Kuwait's league leaders Qadsiya on Wednesday 12th May in the AFC Cup. Will Churchill players pull up their socks or let the Brothers be content with the achievement of making another foreign trip?Also read Kuwaiti ‘Soccer’ overwhelms Churchill’s Indian ‘Football’
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
