Report in The Navhind Times, Aug 31, 2002. Bruno accorded hero's welcome
By RAMDAS VOLVOIKAR PANAJI, Aug 30: Thousands of fans at the Dabolim airport and countless others throughout the state celebrated footballer Bruno Coutinho's return with the prestigious Arjuna award with a hero's welcome today. Bruno, who arrived by a Sahara Airlines flight at 3 p.m., was received by several officials of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), Vasco Club, sports administrators and a huge gathering of fans which included a number of school children. The sports secretary, Mr R Raghuraman, the acting sports director, Mr V M Prabhudessai, Dr Susana de Souza, director of youth affairs, Vasco Club's Mr Vinod Parkot, Mr Noel Lima Leitao, Mr Savio Messais, coach Savio Madeira, Salgaocar's Henry Brito, SAG's Mr Tari, Mr Naik, Ms Juliana Colaco were among those who offered garlands and bouquets. Bruno was later led in a motorcade from the airport to Vasco Club House where the celebrations culminated with Bruno addressing the media. The Goan star will be felicitated at the hands of the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, on September 1 at a function organised by Vasco Sports Club at Shree Vidyadhiraj Bhavan, Vasco at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the Goan star's selection for Arjuna award has infused new life in the state soccer. The game and Bruno have become a talking point again. Everyone is now interested in how Bruno will perform in his maiden stint with Vasco and the Arjuna awardee was quick to send an ominous warning to his rivals that he was now raring to go. "There are no plans of an early retirement as the Arjuna award is a big boost for me. I want to tell my club, my fans that I still have it in me to go on for two to three years before hanging my boots," emphasised Bruno while speaking to The Navhind Times. However, his rivals can heave a sigh of relief for a while as Bruno will undergo a minor operation on the tendon on his left leg after he sustained an injury during an angling expedition, another sport which the Goan star enjoys a lot. The operation, according to Bruno, will rule him out of action for another four to five weeks. Following are the excerpts of the interview. Q. How did you feel when you received the award from the President, Mr A P J Abdul Kalam? A: I have no words to express my joy on receiving the award from the President. It's almost a dream come true and this feeling I am going to enjoy throughout the whole of my life. Q. Were there any words of encouragement from the President? A: Definitely. The President congratulated me and said, " Bruno keep up the good work, you have done India proud." This 11 words are now eked in my memory and will serve as a morale booster for me. Q. We heard that you were practicing your steps before the awards function. Is it true? A: To be honest, yes. I practiced my steps for two days. However, there were still butterflies in my stomach when my name was called and I walked to receive my award. Q. Any special moment after receiving the award.? A: I had many moments to savour on my return flight to Goa. With my picture of receiving the Arjuna from the President appearing in every newspaper, the passengers in the Sahara flight became aware that they had an Arjuna awardee among them. It was good to see almost everyone congratulating even though I was a complete stranger to them. It almost brought tears to my eyes. Q. The fans in Goa want to know when you will don the Vasco jersey A: I know my club and fans are waiting anxiously for my return. Unfortunately, I will be undergoing a minor operation on my tendon of my left leg. I have spoken to Dr Bandekar of Goa Medical College and he feels I might not be able to play for four to five weeks. I want to tell my fans that as soon as the injury heels, I will be back on the field as I always relish a challenge. Q. Looking at the game, what should be done for putting football in the proper perspective, specially at the Asian level? A: Fortunately now the All India Football Federation is run by people who genuinely want the game to develop in the country. The AIFF has been organising foreign tours, conducting the National Football League, bringing in foreign coaches and this will definitely bring in the desired results in the long run. However, besides these, our main focus should be on the grassroot level wherein the juniors are picked up and given the necessary backing. Q. Do you think we need more academies to groom footballers in India? A. There is no point in just having academies. There should be dedicated coaches attached to them. I myself is associated with Assagao Anjuna Football Academy and I think despite the small budget it is doing a good job which is basically due to dedicated efforts from the coaches. The academies should also get corporate backing to avoid problem of finance which is very crucial in running of an academy. Q. Any regrets? A. No, not at all. I enjoyed whatever I did and whatever matches I played. I always enjoyed it. No regrets from life at all. Q. What are your future plans? A. I don't really plan much. I live every day as a new day. That's all, I just like to enjoy everything I do. But I hope to give back what the game has given me by involving myself in coaching. 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