ALBERT COLACO IN KUWAIT.
As a young foot-baller I travelled many parts of India and among all the States in India I found soccer mad people only in Goa, Calcutta and Kerala. These soccer crazy states not only produced great foot-ballers, they have also simultaneously produced great soccer administrators. In Goa during the Portuguese regime though Goa ruled by the colonialists with great stalwarts from Portugal in every field yet in soccer administration the genuine Goan controlled and ruled the affairs of Goan soccer administration. He was none other than Dr. Gustavo Monteiro from Candolim Bardez who held the presidency of Goa Foot-ball Association for many years. He was very much responsible soon after December 19th 1961 to carry on the transisiton of the administration of GFA from Portuguese time administration to India time administration. He had great distinction of challenging the brute might of Mr. Handoo who was the secretary to General Candeth the Millitary Administrator of Goa immediately after Bharat annexed Goa to it. Mr. Handoo being very close to Jawaharlal Nehru was imposed on Goa to assist in the administration of Goa. When Dr. Gustavo Monteiro along with his delegation went to meet with Mr. Handoo to enquire about the prospects of restarting of the soccer activities in Goa, Handoo was surprised to know that Dr. Monteiro is a true and genuine Goan holding the presidency of GFA. In fact according to Dr. Monteiro, Handoo could not believe Goans could reach to such a top position in Goa during those colonialist days. Yes, Goans are great and great Goans are not easily visible with naked eyes. They are impact creators and they are not challengable by anone, they are unique and they are few. Even after Goa came into the hands of India some of those days great Indian soccer rulers were just afraid to talk in front of Dr. Monteiro and one of them was Mr. Ziadduin the then General Secretary of All India Foot-ball Federation, Ziauddin was from Bombay having strong pull over Indian soccer. Because of his great ability in soccer knowledge and excellence in soccer administration Dr. Gustavo Monteiro was especially taken to Portugal in late fifties and honoured by the Portuguese Government of Dr. Antonio Oliveira Salazar.
The late J.P. D�Mello was from Porvorim Bardez Goa but based in Bombay. He had great distinction of being the first Goan to officiate an international soccer match. He was just called a genius in technical aspects of soccer. Once Mr. Ziauddin told him thus �Mr. J.P.! You give me your brain and I will rule not only Asian soccer but even World soccer�. As a technical man in soccer rules he was many times appointed by FIFA as its representatives while he was in Kuwait working for about 10-15 years. Mr. J. P. was a renowned FIFA Referee and a member of Asian Foot-ball Confederation Referees Committee. Besides he was Hon. Secretary and member of Bombay Refereee�s Association. While in Kuwait he was instrumental in conceiving the idea of establishment of Kuwait Indian Foot-ball Federation. He was the founder President of Kuwait Indian Foot-ball Referees Association. Because of his prowess in soccer administration he was highly admired and respected by the Kuwait Foot-ball governing body. From Bombay he made the name of Goa and Goans known to other parts of India, Asia and even other continents. In him we had a great soccer personality where we could boast of great Goan human resources. Unfortunately, he was adored more by non-Goans who acknowledged his real worth. He was the pride of Goa in this area. Before his leaving Kuwait for good he told me �I have acquired laulerls for Goa being the first Goan to reach to the zenith but what Goan community has done for me?� Referring to me, he said �Veronica, you are the only Goan who occasioanally highlight in the media my achievement in soccer field�. With regret he left Kuwait and with regret he died for not getting due recognition from Goan community when infact he deserved it.
Alberto Colaco is yet another Goan celebrity in the field of Soccer administration in India. Currently he is the General Secretary of All India Foot-ball Federation and a member of Technical Committee � Asian Soccer Confederation. He is the first Goan to reach to such a top position in India when there is such a stiff competition for such top positions in Indian Soccer Administration. He started his career first as General Secretary of Goa Foot-ball Association and gradually reached to Indian ladder and even now reached to Asian Confederation. Because of his indepth knowledge of technical aspects of Soccer he is admired not only in India but also in Asia. Goa and Goans should be proud of such a man because he keeps the flag of Goa flying higher and higher. It is our luck that such a man is a member of Goan community.
On 27th of this month, the final of Soccer League conducted by Kuwait Indian Foot-ball Federation will be held in one of the prominent Kuwaiti Stadia though preliminary matches are conducted at Sour Ground. To grace the final, KIFF has invited Mr. Colaco to be the chief guest. The invitation is already accepted by Colaco and he will be in Kuwait for about a week. During his stay in Kuwait he will be meeting with members of KIFF, KIFF Referees and clubs. It was Goan community that started the soccer activities for Indians in Kuwait and Goans are playing a dominant role in this area. Since his visit is already officially notified by AIFF and Asian Foot-ball Confederation he will be meeting with the members of concerned Associations where he will highlight the significant role Indian soccer body is playing in Kuwait. In the bargain the credibility of Goan community will go up. Indians and Goans in particular will surely get due recognition and acceptance by the Indian, Kuwaiti and Asian soccer federations. What we missed earlier we will surely get now and this is the great benefit for all of us who are involved in the promotion of Indian and Goan soccer in Kuwait. The Kuwait Foot-ball Association will surely admire Goans for producing such a stalwart and this will be a great honour for Goa and Goans. I am sure due to the high voltage his visit is having the image of Goan community will just brighten. Hence, I am sure Goan community members will give him a very warm welcome and come to see the final match in thousands as it was happened to P.T. Usha when she was invited to Kuwait by the Malyali community soon after the Moscow Olympics. The genuine Goa lover Goans should not miss this opportunity to give a fabulous welcome to Colaco who as an Ambassador of Indian soccer will fly the banner of India, Goa and Goans very high. He is arriving in Kuwait on 25th of this month by Emirates Airlines at 8.30 AM.
Welcome to Kuwait Mr. Alberto Colaco.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait.
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