------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRI Continental Film Festival - Dona Paula, Goa, Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricontinental/tricon.htm For public viewing. Registration at The International Centre Goa. (Ph: +91-832-2452805 to 10) Online Media Partner: http://www.GOANET.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yeah, once again the Goan Inter-Village Football Tournament is on in Dubai. And yeah, once again the tournament is "reunified" with the rebel teams coming back into the fold. Along with the reunification, the ghost in the name and form of Bonnie Fernandes is again haunting the soccer tournament. His wayward ways continue and his big mouth hasn't stopped. He was deservingly shown the red card by the British referee who, I think, is a no-nonsense kind. As with all referees he makes his share of errors. If one goes by the report of the Khaleej Times, Bonnie is said to be a member of the organizing committee. He was literally pushed out of the ground and told to shut up by some members of the organizing committee after he left the field. There were cries of abuse against both Bonnie and the committee. Bonnie's playing ability is unmatched by his off-the-field antics. He was one reason there was split in the football community last year. He joined hands with the rebel teams and approached the Goan Cultural Society, an almost non-functioning body, to organize or organized himself a rival tournament under the auspices of the society. Seems that this year the Goan association wants to keep away from the mess it created last year. Thanks a lot. Yet another incident almost created a situation that had caused a team to join forces with other teams, who had problems with the Lucky Stars-organized tournament at the Iranian Sports Club, and Bonnie to start the rival tournament at the nearby Al Nasr ground. Many football lovers were caught on in a difficult situation and often had to choose which games to watch at one of the grounds. Some rushed from one ground to another to catch a match of their fancy. Siolim United almost walked off the field when a penalty was awarded against them by the British referee, who seems to be the only one officiating in all matches. The ball was deflected by a Siolim player with his hand as he lay on the ground. The referee surprisingly pointed his hand towards the corner and then changed his mind and pointed his hand to the penalty spot. The referee was definitely not close to the action. He had just finished an earlier match played under an intense sun and the Siolim United vs Benaulim match was second with a third one to follow. On a Friday, there are three matches. The Siolim team protested. As expected, it was chaos as players from both teams, members of the organizing committee and the referee along with anothe official of the Iranian Club trying to resolve the matter. It took at least 20 minutes before Siolim agreed to let Benaulim take the penalty. Benaulim's star player Russell Rodrigues failed to convert and, as the earlier penalty to took, the shot was saved by the goalkeeper. But Benaulim made amends in the last ten minutes of the match by netting two goals. The victory ensured the team's entry into the quater-final round while Siolim had to make their exit. A draw would have helped Siolim qualify. Benaulim is the new that had caused the problem two years ago by refusing to let their rivals take the penalty. After at least half hour deadlock, the team walked out. Last year, they were part of the rebel group to form the rival tournament along with Siolim United, who also had problems with the Lucky Stars organizing committee. Benaulim is a remade team with at least six players from the champions Vaxim Divar joining the team. It is learnt that Russell and the other players had problems with the other players and with the promoter and financial supporter of the team Nelson and, therefore, decided to join Benaulim. Nelson is the prime organizer of the tournament and is known for poaching good players for his team. Vaxim Divar has some young players and are doing well. With the exit of Siolim United, two other teams from Siolim are still in the fray. They are St. Anthony's Siolim and Siolim FC. St. Anthony's Siolim is a new team. When St. Anthony's Siolim played St. Anthony's Pernem, a wisecrack joked that poor St. Anthony must be on the horns of a dilemma. True, the saint would not sitting with his head in his hands, not knowing on which team to shower his blessings. So, the saint divided his blessings for the match to end in a draw! St. Anthony fighting with himself. God have mercy! Eugene Correia Just a spectator and an occasional commentator ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469
