Goan Icon Footballer Orlando Viegas to play in Kuwait

By Gasper Crasto

Kuwait: Orlando Viegas, one of the star icon footballers from Goa, will be visiting Kuwait to play for Navelim Youth Centre in the Sheikha Huda Memorial International Football Tournament to be held in Kuwait on Saturday, 27th October 2012, at Surra Stadium. 

One of the best and complete footballers, Goa has ever produced, Orlando, hailing from Navelim and currently working in Dubai, played for India’s famed Dempo Sports Club for most of his playing career in Goa.

Orlando’s career started as a young and budding player playing for Navelim Soccerites, then champions of All-Goa sub-junior championship. He later captained Goa at Jammu & Kashmir in the All India Sub-junior Championship in 1986. Orlando also played at the Assam Sub-Junior Games in 1987.

Orlando started his senior career with Salcette Football Club in 1987 and played professionally for Dempo from 1989 to 1995. Later he joined Churchill Brothers for 2 years and was with Vasco Sports Club till 2000 before moving to U.A.E for greener pastures.

At the senior level, Orlando represented Goa in the Santosh Trophy till 1995 being on the winners pedestal in the 1989 championship held in Goa, and Runners-up in 1993.

Working as a Manager in Logistics field, Orlando is happily married to Hylette and has 2 children. He remains one of the most popular footballers in Navelim Village.

The star footballer will be seen in action in the International tournament organized in fond memory of Late Sheikha Huda Bader Mohamed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, a much awaited feature in the Expatriate Football circuits in Kuwait.

A total of 24 teams are expected to participate in the prestigious tournament which is presented by Betalbatim FC. Teams vying for the glittering Trophy and valuable prizes will include the champions of last year - Aldona United F.C., Dubai, Vanxim Divar, Dubai, Siolim United, Dubai and Indian expatriate popular teams from Kuwait namely AVC, Goa Maroons, Don Bosco Oratory, Navelim Youth Centre, Real Betalbatim, Fahaheel Brothers, DHL F.C., Veterans United  and Kuwait Goans Association (KGA) among other teams.  

A large holiday crowd is expected to witness the games.

FR. NEVILLE GRACIAS' NEW KONKANI FILM.

Every week in Kuwait we get one or two Konkani Albums either as CD or VCD or DVD. Every week I purchase them from Video Shop. Most of these Films are scrap but some are good. One such a good Konkani Film recently I got was of Fr. Neville Gracias’ “VOCH ANINK PATOK KORUM NAKA”.

Fr. Neville and I met in Kuwait about 4 years back when he visited Kuwait and taking this opportunity he participated in Rosary Ferns Tiatro Kuwait Soddun Vetana in which he played a nice role. When I penned down a few lines with his photos in both the local newspapers in Kuwait describing his dramatic activities, not only Goans but even international community residing in Kuwait was surprised to know that this priest is a dramatist also.

The recent Film of his “Vochat Anink Patok Korum Naka” was really worth watching; the story has got biblical meaning and spiritual significance and it is a very good lesson for the young couples who are unfaithful to their marriage vows. In this Film one gets lot of information of how to be faithful to his/her spouse and also how to be unfaithful as well.

The romantic role played by handsome and attractive Sylvester Vas opposite to equally attractive Felcy deserves highest compliments. Felcy is one of the senior most artistes whom I first time saw in Minguel Rod’s Tiatro “Lembddo Santan” when I was a College student about 40 years back and she was very young and beautiful looker then attracting immense interest in youths like me. Seniority and age did not shadow her original looks which she in this film beautified more elegantly with nice dresses. It is admiring she still keeps her youthful looks. As usual Sylvester Vas played the hero’s role with his normal ease and elegance.

The other beauty who gave extra glamour for this Film was attractive Jessica Gomes who stands tall among all the lovely looking female artistes on Konkani Stage today. It reminds me of those great days in sixties when beautiful Antonette and charming Ophelia used to dazzle the audience with their superb acting and beautiful looks. It is very essential for the female artiste to have good looks to attract the attention of the audience. It is not only Jessica’s beauty that attracted the viewers to her but also her very romantic role she played opposite Salu de Loutolim who was unfortunately no match to her as he lacks lot of qualites to play such a romanti role.

Both the comedians Domnick and Luis Bachan did justice for their comedy roles.

Fr. Neville’s role as a Doctor was superb, the delivery of his statements was appropriate and to the point.

Fr. Neville deserves praises for scripting the story of this film which is worth watching.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

KGA 7-A-SIDE SOCER TOURNEY IN KUWAIT.

AN EVENT TO MATCH THE EID FESTIVITIES AMONG EXPATRIATES

 

UAE Exchange sponsored Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) will organize the 4th Edition of Eslinda Alemao Memorial Football Tournament on the first day of Eid Al Adha which will host 20 KIFF affiliated teams participating under the auspices of KIFF. The tournament is also co-sponsored by Gulf Cables & Electrical Industries Co., Lulu Hypermarkets, Air India, Mughal Mahal, Dana Optics, Lipton, Fitwell Tailor, Bhasin Co. and Almarai Co. The Eid Al Adha festivities are continuously celebrated by KGA for the last four years at the lush green serene surroundings of the MOH Grounds with the Arabian sea tidal waves in the background at the MOH Grounds management. The matches will commence at 6:45 a.m. and will be officiated by Indian Football Referees Association and compered by popular Merwyn Pereira and Penny Rebello. For more info, email: kgakuwait@gmail.com