Anthony Piedade Viegas..... ..A walking Encyclopedia on football
He is popularly and affectionately known as COPID to friends in the neighborhood and beyond geographical boundaries of ChinchinimVillage.Born to Joaquim Sylvester Viegas and Artemisia Rodrigues at Chinchinim on 24 February 1939 is . among three sons and two daughters of whom only two brothers survive today.. He conducted village football tournaments of youth and was hence respectively called Captain, which in Konkanni literally translates to Copid.. The title and the salutation became synonymous with his name and having accepted sportingly, he is not offended with it. He studied at St Bosco`s High School Chinchinim and represented school football team as dependable left outer, The school claimed two Championships in finals. Unfortunately his love for the game was terminated in 1956 due to fracture of leg at Goa Velha . In spite of it he represented Hind Cycles at Bombay as their goal keeper for a year with distinction. He was passionate about swimming too and equally at home in Volleyball and Badminton. He is nostalgic about participating at inaugural match of CRCC.. He served CRCC as the Vice President and was in Charge for conducting Third Division games for GFA at Chinchinim. He remains ardent supporter of CRCC and has rendered devoted services over the years in all its activities and tournaments. Like most Village lads of his times, he embarked on successful sea career. His professional duties involveled as a waiter and was promoted as chief steward. His friendly nature has earned him lasting company of friends,.He refrains from criticism of others but is all praise for friends achievements and vocal about it, He is always a pleasant company to be with and share thoughts and time.. He s deeply religious , faithful person , loved reading and singing in the Church .He is most sought after for litanies for his melodious voice and leadership. He is indispensable to initiate prayers on various functions and also for raising toasts on many a occasion. He is particularly gifted with special memory for past songs, which he can sing with ease. His functional knowledge of Portuguese, French, Spanish etc is simply amazing without any formal studies in languages The most remarkable quality is his knowledge of football at the tip of his fingers. He is known as walking encyclopedia on football .His vast store of information on many aspects of football, National, International, local, grounds ,players teams, clubs, rules and regulations, opinions on decisions, comments on performance, views on controversial referring are unbiased and astonishing. He is often referred to unofficially by friends and functionaries of football associations..clubs for his views that are held in high esteem. He laments the loss of all his collection of precious records to white ants. I gladly recall compiling/documenting a First and only documented list thus far of forgotten,,past footballers of Chinchinim with his guidance and which is open for up gradation and improvement His services are indispensable at any soccer tournament held in the Village. He is tasked with selection of various categories of players for recognition and awards during the tournament. It is an arduous task that calls for concentration, documentation and selecting the right players. His decisions are non controversial. deserving merit and never have been objected to this day. He has forecast ed accurately the selections even in International tournaments There is no substitute for this job at he moment and in spite of rejecting the offers, he is virtually forced into accepting though reluctantly because of strain of his advancing age At the finals of inter Village Tournament, Our Lady of Merces Sports Club of Sirlim on 15-8-2018, the 21 st edition he was selectively honoured by the organizers by conferring a gold medal.. This symbolic gesture by the Club for the first time is in recognition and in appreciation of his valuable,, painstaking efforts during the tournament As I know him personally. he is humble and unassuming to be enamored by such awards that are beyond his expectations and call of duty .He shuns publicity but his passion need to be recorded , as a worthy member of football fraternity of Chinchinim Village .Nevertheless everyone feels genuinely happy that it is well deserved , well thought of honour ,meaningful and appropriate. gesture. He feels that after serving sincerely all these years, he needs rest from the strenuous duty of concentration, objectivity, fairness due to limitations of his advancing age, but still obliges because of faith and trust reposed in him by organisers Copid has no likely match in the village with vast store of ready information when it comes to recalling facts, views, comments, decisions on any aspect of football. His love , passion, dedication and knowledge,of the game remains unparalleled. Chinchinim Villagers are proud of his lasting contribution to the game of soccer Nelson Lopes Chinchinim 25 October 2018 Sent from my iPhone
