Mr .CYRIL FERRAO ,….. First Goan, professional football coach. Mr. Antonio Ciril Ferrao, alias Cyril was born on 2nd. Nov.1929 at Chinchinim, to late Mr Tomacino and Mrs Amaldina Ferrao. Eldest in the family of two brothers and sisters,lost Mr. Jose and Mrs. Valdomira , leaving behind Mr, Ludovico (player) and Mrs. Celine. He completed Secondary School at St, Bosco`High School Chinchinim ( New Educational H S), and Portuguese Education (Lyceum) up to grade 7(setman). He was fluent with the English language.
He can proudly be honored and included amongst my memoirs “ PEARLs of Chinchinim Village”. He has left a blazing trail and indelible foot prints on the football map of India and Goa in particular. He has thus carved a special niche in the hearts of football lovers, who had great respect for his dedication and immense contributions to promotion of sports. and as the only Goan qualified soccer coach in 1962 He was employed as the Head clerk at Salgaoncar at Vasco, but nursed altogether a different ambition in life , which he pursued with single minded devotion . In his youthful days he was very much associated with CRCC devoted to football. It was reputed as the granary and nursery of football players on the football map of Goa and India . He coached the players of the club .His personal interest, observations, suggestions and guidance to other talented players led to polishing and improving of their skills. He was compelled by circumstances of difference of opinions to register and fund CHINCHINIM YOUTH CLUB (Deussua). As the founder, intended to rejuvenate and infuse interest in the dying game. The players were mostly from Sucaldem and Plamar-grande wards of Chinchinim. He was generous in extending much needed financial support. It was for the first time, exclusive and historical , for any Village to register two clubs. It was only possible because of his clout with sports authorities and organisations. . . Dedicated coaching of the village youth took the game of soccer to great heights of recognition and excellence. As the coach he was a hard task master, strict and disciplinarian. Budding players groomed by him loved and feared him as much but respected him for his foresight and vision. He was firm in his conviction not to field or coach players from outside the Village. Under his tutelage St. Bosco`s H. School ,Chinchinim (New Ed, School) were crowned finalists under his guidance, twice in a row (1954), at all Goa School tournament At the age of 15 years he played for his school,. Many players of Chinchinim Youth Club (CYC) were recommended by him for placement and therefore found lucrative, professional openings in football clubs in the state and India. They climbed the ladder of success in soccer and rose to prominence and fame at International level too. Their gratitude, appreciation and advancement further enhanced his commitment. CRCC games were being fielded and funded by Chinchinim Motorcyclists and also by Rev Fr. Agnelo, amongst others to keep the fires burning. He did always maintain a healthy, co- operative and sporting spirit towards CRCC, in spite of differences of opinions and thus remained its admirer to the very end. He was the Coach with Education Dept till his end, built up the Goa Football team, which put up commendable show at the Nationals. He was actively associated with Volleyball,and Athletic Associations. A founder member and player for CRCCin 1954. The club won all Goa League Championship that year., A day to rejoice, when he played for Goa against Pakistan 1958. His services were sought by GFA for 5 Nationals at Gawhati,Hyderabad,. Cuttack,Nowgung,Jullunder. He dashed off to Panjim and secured blood that saved the lives of those Chinchinim players involveled in the deadly accident at Curtorim . A compromise and understanding was arrived at and he disbanded Chinchinim Youth Club in favour of CRCC. It was due to his initiative in indicating and securing the present premises of CRCC with the support of Mr.Alvarino. The only existing Church ground was temporarily under seize by Portuguese army garrison .Instigated by the vested interest, the dispossessed tenants of CRCC ground, publicly abused and threatened him . He was arrested, detained overnight due to motivated, fabricated police complaint in revenge but soon released, unharmed due to influential contacts .It is with pride and honour we recall that Chinchinim Club was declared Champions in 1951 , runners up 1952.The football lovers were delighted and ecstatic . He was part of the team of Club Desportivo Chinchinim ,he coached and which won Goa`s first ever Primeira Division League title. Mr Cyril captained Salgaocar team and he donned colours for Amadores de Margao, Paulo XI, M.C.C. among others, as the dependable centre half His talents were recognized first by M/s Shantilal , to coach the team for 2 years, which he selected and was declared as Champions of Goa Senior Division League and Stafford Challege Cup in its first year . He thus unearthed scores of promising football players. His two year stint with Dempo Club as their First Coach in 1964,also saw them honoured as Champions GSDL twice in succession, although they remained at the top many times . He also led them to Victory at Bandodkars Gold trophy.Vasco Club too adorned the glorious cap being crowned Champions of GSDL due to his relentless efforts as the coach. He led Salgaoncar club to victory with the team selected by him comprising mostly players from Chinchinim, and were crowned as Champions of GDSL .Sesa Goa also became Champions of Goa league under his coaching techniques. He also trained Timblo XI.,M.C.C, Police teams .. School teams were coached ,under deputation by Goa Govt,. It thus appeared that Cyril Ferrao had acquired Midas touch winning honours for the teams he trained and was saluted as “BORN WINNER”. It was more than coincidental and unique feat that teams coached by him were crowned Champions of GDSL. He enjoyed short tenures and the shifts, for it provided him a wider base to prove his merit and skills, experimenting with new players. It was due to his persistent efforts Santosh trophy was launched in Goa, 1973 for the first time. He was in charge in 1967 of Goa team at Santosh Trophy. His in depth analysis of the game, techniques and strategies were highly successful and received professional praise and admiration. Mr. Aniceto, recognized his hidden potential and promoted his training at Patiala. He qualified as the First and only Goan professional Soccer Coach at NIS (National Institute of Sports ) i962, that changed his course and career . . . Undoubtedly Cyril earned the well deserved title of “best coach in Goa” , but unfortunately to his disappointment the much awaited, legitimate recognition at all India level eluded him for unknown reasons. It is rumored that he received much awaited invitation for advance course in Brazil after his demise. It is an enviable proud fact that in Chinchinim Village he is the sports flag bearer, as no sports person/coach has been able to replicate his stupendous feats of achievements or rise above and see beyond his shoulders. He commanded respect from all officials, Associations , Clubs connected with sports, received due consideration and courtesies to his views and suggestions. When he joined Govt service he trained school football teams with renewed vigour and purpose for future. It was his conviction, on rare occasion to stand in winners group photograph. Being qualified with Portuguese studies he declined lucrative Govt.postings that came his way due to his Nationalistic principles. His role as an expert Konkanni football commentator with A.I.R was much appreciated. His valued comments and insights as football critic received accolades and acceptance as one and only among few , gifted to enter the competitive field. He was accredited sports reporter for Konkanni weekly Vauradeamncho Ixtt. Adv.Leo Velho, a prominent personality and football player of repute at the finals of tournament conducted by him, had installed foundation stone in the presence of Minister, dedicating the CRCC ground to his revered memory. Times, circumstances and priorities have altered the situation due to rivalries and misunderstandings. His untimely, unexpected , unfortunate demise on 17-9- 1971 (42 Years) at Govt.I.D. Hospital Ponda, clutching football in his hand. His demise cast a shadow of gloom and despair over his native place, Chinchinim, Goa and all over India. His funeral rites remains the largest gathering of mourners, a sea of humanity approximately 5000,an event, never witnessed in Chinchinim Village, till date. It was the barometer of his all Goa popularity, respect and recognition. Indeed the funeral procession was a colourful spectacle with many prominent sports clubs donned with club colours carrying respective flags . The overcast sky with a slight drizzle provided a somber backdrop and did not deter the tearful mourners. He was carried by players, friends, admirers over their shoulders ,covering a distance of one Km from his residence to Mount Mary`s Church and then to the cemetry’.The cortege and coffin were bedecked with flowers .Represented at the funeral by sports clubs like Vasco Club, Salgaocar, Dempo ,Shantilal,Sesa Goa,C.Y.Club (Deussua) , and institutions ,Monte de Gurim,St. Anthonys H S, Assolna,Mount Marys, St Bosco`s H S. . The funeral oratories delivered by a galaxy of persons, Fr, Eusebio Ferrao,, Fr,A. Renato do Rego,(P.P), Fr. Presentacao Furtado at church services, and at the burial ground by Mr.Zito Miranda Councillor,Adv. Leo Velho,( United Goans,) Mrs.Elu Miranda , Mr Roque Santan Fernandes, Mr Anant .N.Naik, (MLA`s) , Sarpanch A.N. Narvekar, Deputy Director of Education Mr.S.K.Mali ,Secretary CRCC, Mr Assis Dias (C.Y.Sports Club),Mr James Fernandes, representative (GFA), Mr. Bosco Cotta(Chinchinim Students Union) , Mr Rui Carvalho, Goa Olympic Association, other sports stalwarts, Govt. functionaries, too eulogized his achievements in soccer . The mourners listened attentively and respectfully till the end. The privilege of CRRC as pole bearers in club attire led him to his eternal resting place to the bugle sounding the “ last post.”. He was thus laid to rest with greatest traditions of gratitude and honour, he so richly deserved as the proud son of Chinchinim Village.Perhaps, because of his dedication and commitments he remained a confirmed bachelor, married to sports, which was his life`s only passion ,he dearly cherished. To immortalize his outstanding contributions to sports, the Village Panchayat of Chinchinim- Deussua has honoured this great son of the soil, perpetuating his memory by naming Chinchinim-Deussua road as a fitting tribute with a road sign at a function on 15th. August. 2001. Surely his memory needs a better and appropriate gesture of gratitude even at this late stage Nelson Lopes Chairman P.C Trust 10 Feb 2019 (The information , documented here is based on secondary sources of oral deposition from erstwhile soccer players and family and press reports . Any unintentional factual errors are subject to rectification, modification and refinement, as it is being the first and only known written tribute.) 3 Attachments ReplyForward <https://drive.google.com/u/0/settings/storage?hl=en> <https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/terms/> <https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/> <https://www.google.com/gmail/about/policy/>
