Churchill sports lover The sudden attack on Churchill by MLA`s Rohan Kaunte and Vijay Sardessasi is a mystery .Are they using football for taking political potshots of his nearness to seat of power and their distancing giving them Goosebumps? When the scheme for I league was formulated without consulting Churchill both of them were members of his cabinet It is now and out of power they find it convenient to embarrass the recipient and the Govt. merely continuing the scheme
Churchill has served as Minisiter of Sports and had pushed forward beneficial, schemes to clubs, players and promotion of sports. Churchill Bros, is the only family club operating in the world and has received much applause . He is promoting football at grass root level, under 14, 15, 16 etc thus creating a nursery for future talent His players in I League have found lucrative openings in ISL like Brandon, Seriton. L Lenny, etc Churchill even without being in politics have financially supported many clubs, sponsored tournaments. His club has won many a prestigious awards winning in various . Tournaments in India, which is a matter of proud, enviable records. The Govt. release of grants are subject to scrutiny and verification and must adhere to strict procedural formalities., In comparison the grumblings MLA`s are not known even to have nursed their constituency clubs or associated with any sports activity. Football has been officially designated as State sports and Goa certainly holds a place of pride in this sports among States. Parikar in the house has called him as “ATM of football”. Besides Churchill has been a great patron of Dramas, sponsored, promoted on a wide scale including recordings of VCD`s. In distress you can always look up and count on Churchill to be sympathetic towards sports and football in particular. In fact he should be crowned with football in recognition and appreciation In Politics he has been much earlier than the protesting MLA`s who were perhaps little school going children if they were born. In fact he has perhaps mentored them in their early political career and is known to have advised them .They may have fallen out of his grace recently due to personal ambitions Churchill has been Head of many a political Party, MLA, Minister . C.M, twice M.P and won not only from his secure home constituency. He is no novice, but a seasoned politicians enjoying clout. They have miles to go to come up to his political ladder. Even after being marginalized by legal cases and incarcerated in prison, he has bounced back with support of his loyal voters He is a simple , down to earth, grass root politician, admired, adored and loved. He thus connects and relates to everyone in a friendly style. Churchill is approachable to anyone and his assistance is not limited to the boundaries of his constituency. He has also helped many an individual with financial help and in health emergency, and those stranded abroad , bringing their corpses and those whose families were denied their monetary dues. He has helped many to get into sea career. He has a soft corner towards seamen, having started his career s a sailor, His involvement in present crisis of seamen is well known and needs no elaboration He commands recognition with all Govt functionaries and his intervention is always treated with due respect. There are scores of individuals who will testify to his generosity as a dependable benefactor, His physical stature may be illusive , misunderstood sometimes but his soft core is what is appreciated At this time, attack on Churchill by Kaunte and Vijay appears to be misplaced and lacks public support, In fact it will be counterproductive for their campaign in their ambition to hit wrong target It is boosting the image of Churchill as the real hero, champion of Football in Goa .They have still miles to go to assume his political image , importance and contribution ,much less his halo of domination in the field of sports and football, his love, sacrifices and consistency Long live Churchill, long live Football in Goa Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
