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A Goan Silva-lining in the Asian Cup 2007: Saluting Benji
By Zena Costa
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
AMBELIM, JULY 2007: NO ONE TOLD a lanky, modest footballer
from the south Goan Village of Ambelim that blowing the
whistle would be easy. In fact, very little would prepare the
former Salcette FC and Clube Vasco half with a coaching
dream.
Yet he made it to duties as a professional referee at the
highest level of football -- FIFA. Nobody thought that would
one day he would be 'one in a billion' and the first goenkar
ever to officiate the Asian Cup. Well, not even the man
himself.
Meet FIFA Asst. Referee Benjamin Silva.
If there is a ref all players don't hate its Silva... his
integrity stands out. Somehow this easygoing off-field guy
has a presence. An innate presence on the grass... a
commanding aura that lets everyone know that he knows his
job... that he belongs on the playing field.
Even as India allegedly pulled out of the bid to host the
next edition of the Cup, Benjamin provides the 'Silva-lining'
for the nation as one 40 officials who will blow the whistle
at Asian Cup 2007.
Goanet contributor and Goa-based sports journalist Zena Costa
caught up with the guy fondly called 'Benji' as he
swift-packed to catch an unexpectedly pre-poned flight fly to
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Benji-speak....
On blowing the whistle:
I am honored at being only one from India. The only other
referee for India to officiate at this level is Shankar. At
the top level of football, in a time when the game is faster,
physical and more powerful than ever, one needs to really
slog to keep up with the standards set by FIFA.
In fact, this flight takes me to Kuala Lumpur, where we will
undergo a refresher course and physical fitness tests (in
early July) before we are allotted matches. The tourney is a
four nation event from July 7 to 29, involving Thailand,
Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
>From player to coach to ref:
I played as a half for Salcette FC 1980-86 and two seasons
for Vasco. At that point, I wanted to be a coach... Even got
AFC C coaches' licence, and was coaching and really enjoying
it.
AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco who really helped me as a young
village boy when I didn't even know the ropes suggested that
I should try officiating. He felt I had the right temperament
for the job.
I respect his view then... and I also followed my heart.
Football means so much to me personally... so I started out
with the basics. And today? You are here asking me this
question.
Veteran ref Theresa helped me a lot in my formative stages.
There are so many who have supported me. I'm grateful for the
good wishes
On not being a whistling Dixie:
Officiating is tough... you journalists are second to referees
when it comes to a 'villains' job in the game.
I have worked hard. One has to be razor sharp. You may say
that my decisions have rarely given cause for doubt. But what
I'd say is that a ref, at least a a good ref, has to make a
decision in almost reflex. Knee-jerk isn't a cheat.
Yes there is room, a lot of it, for improvement. But I think
understanding the pressures of the job, the cameras re-plays,
analyst, experts and so on isn't easy. When an official makes
a mistake, there is nothing wrong in admitting. He only
admits that he's not perfect. You need self confidence. It's
not for the spineless.
Requites for the whistle blower:
Making a call accurately requires that each official has the
necessary athletic abilities, common sense, fairness,
knowledge of the sport and level-headed temperament.
However, good officials bring something more to the game.
Such as, respect for the sport, knowing when and when not to
interrupt the flow of the game. Referees have to work really
hard, and we need support. It's a conscience call. That's why
when your decision needs to be prompt and is taken unaffected
by others. It's true.
On being a 'man in black':
Yes! We are blacklisted. I try to get this really thick skin
not to get affected. I speak for self. Personally, I approach
officiating as a professional. I flash the red card to my
best-friend's son or whoever for un-sporting behaviour -- it's
just my job!
That moment requires me to act as per rules that govern the
game. It's a professionally decision, nothing personal. When
a match is done, I leave it. Look ahead positively.That's my
motto for improvement. The most frustrating part is when you
love the game, slog, and you're a villain in every match!
A call for harmony:
We don't lack talent; we know that. If India must excel: it's
not so complicated. All four parties involved -- players,
officials, coaches and admins -- need to do their job as
professionals, in interest of Indian football and not self.
Then we would all be aware that we go by rules of the game.
I'm not going to name names. It's common sense. The day each
of us play our true roles, when we view a red-card as a rule
and not a personal insult (to give you an example from my
book), India can go anywhere in the world. Crab mentality and
arrogance won't get us anywhere. Nobody is above the game.
On football and Benji:
I love football; it's not just my bread and butter. It has
helped me become a useful and productive citizen. I relate a
lot of that to the hard work, and understanding of football
at all levels.
Hey! I'm Goan. I'm really proud that we are doing well as a
state (in football). I have to go now. But what I take with
me is all I told you just now, and my whistle of course.
I hope to dispel the myth that we Goans are a lazy lot. And
(do something) for Indian football. If a boy form a small
village can officiate there, and do a good job, I hope to do
that. It's really important to me.
My message? If an Indian can officiate amongst the best, India
can surely excel at football. Let's dream, a united dream.
