Goa And Portugal: Bonded Through Football
Sport and politics should not mix, but despite what everyone says, the history & politics is what makes Real Madrid - Barcelona or USA -Iran or for that matter, India - Pakistan, such a thrill to watch. By this logic, Indians should look with disdain at the English football team, the country being their former ruler. But on the contrary, next to Brazil, arguably England is the best supported football team in India. A major reason for this is the immense exposure and popularity of the English Premier League in India. On a similar scale is Goa's bonding with Portugal. Goa is one of India's smallest states, more renowned for its natural beauty and as a world famous tourist destination, but it has been among the top two or three in terms of its achievements on the football field in India. The passion and emotion that Goans feel for their 'national' sport, football, is well known. Football is the undoubtedly the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture. The history of the game dates back to 1883 when the sport was introduced here by an English priest, before it became the State's sporting obsession. Goa Football Association, which currently administers the game in the state, was originally formed in December 1959 under the name Associacao Futebol de Goa. Along with West Bengal and Kerala, Goa is one of the football powerhouses of the country and home to teams such as Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Vasco Sports Club and Sporting Clube de Goa. The recent press announcement that Dempo football club had tied up with Portugal's league champions FC Porto for an exchange programme came as no surprise. Now coaches and players from the club will go to Portugal and train with the experts there and vice-versa. The Portuguese ruled Goa for over 400 years. It was a Portuguese colony from the early 16th century after Vasco-da-Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope to discover the sea route to India in 1498. Portuguese rule ended in 1961 when the Indian army entered this tiny coastal enclave with miles of beautiful beaches and drove the Portuguese away. But the state still has a distinct Portuguese flavour. Portuguese football jerseys always fly off the shelf whenever there is a World Cup or a Euro championships going on. Pubs and bars throughout the state make arrangements to broadcast the games on giant screens and while at the same time, pints of beer and Feni, the local cashew drink, are gulped down. You can argue that, nowadays, this is the scene everywhere in India, but in Goa, one can really sense that the feelings come from deep within. One had to be here in person to actually see the mania that had gripped the state when Portugal reached the final of Euro 2004. The majority of the Goan fans were rooting for their former colonial rulers. Portuguese flags could be seen everywhere. Young and old coloured faces with the Portuguese colours. It was really a matter of the heart for Goa. So much so that even the town church in the capital, Panjim, had joined the euphoria by having a special prayer for Portugal after the Sunday Mass. Believe it or not! Many of the football clubs in Goa still retain their Portuguese flavoured names like Vasco Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Fransa Pax football Club (now disbanded) etc. You can also see that other Portuguese names are still prevalent in the state on roads, buildings, surnames. Another reason for this affection can be traced to the fact that, after the Portuguese rule ended in 1961; some people emigrated from Goa to Portugal. In fact, as per the Portuguese Nationality Law, even if one was only born yesterday, but had a grandfather or grandmother who was born in Portuguese India before 1961, this person can apply for Portuguese nationality. So there are people who still have relatives spread across both the countries. One can safely say that over the last decade or so, the hatred and ill feelings towards a colonial ruler, have given way to a heartfelt love, at least as far as football is concerned. Sport has a tendency to unite people and whatever bitter feelings Goans had about the colonial rule, all seem to have been bridged by football. Goa might have won its freedom from the Portuguese about 46 years ago, but Portugal and its football team still rules the hearts of many people in this coastal paradise of India. If some of you have not seen or experienced this amazing bond between Portugal and Goa, then here is a good reason to book your tickets to Goa in advance, as Euro 2008 is less than a year away. Chetan Bambolkar http://goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=451157 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
