UK :Sunday 15 August 2021 Playing Football for St Josephs Boys Home Calangute Bardez Goa.
Sunday 15 August 2021 is an important day, it’s the 75th Anniversary of India Independence, in Cortalim Goa 2nd Arvale Road is renamed “Rua Miguel Rod” in memory of the very famous and talented son of Cortalim, also in England known as Freedom Day as all the uncertainty of Covid19 restrictions were lifted enabling freedom for all of us locked in for over a year and half to get back to normal life as near as possible especially to meet, greet and socialise. Dylan Pereira and his friend Andrew Fernandes, now in their mid-twenties, organised within a short time a full house family friendly five a side Football Tournament with the aim to help needy children in Goa who cannot afford a decent pair of trainers or football shoes to play the beautiful game. Dylan remembered his annual holidays to Calangute, Goa during his younger school days where he played football with the orphans and boarders of St.Josephs Home/School at their playing grounds, most of them who played bare foot on the very hot and hard grounds peppered with small stones while he turned up in his full football kit. Despite this, the young boys played with much passion and skills which left a lasting impression on him and filled him with admiration. Hence it was decided that the proceeds from the tournament should be donated towards the purchase of football shoes for the needy boys at St. Josephs Home and School. The venue with a big G sign Goals at Elm Park could not be more apt with its Astroturf pitches Clubhouse and facilities could also stand for Goan, blink and you could miss Goans playing Football. Within a very short time of informing their friends and mainly by word of mouth, they very soon filled up the 10 Team places. Due to a continued interest from more teams, they later increased it to 12 Teams and still had to turn some teams away. They have teams entered from the north, south, east and west of London which is indeed a great achievement on its own. The teams that managed to register on time Group A: Dream Team, Goan Ballers. TNT, Goan Chaplaincy, Southside Shooters, The Mighty Eagles. Group B: Cabana Gringos, Sporting Goa, Cortalim Union, SLG, Bayern Bru, LIZARB. Goa Football Association conducts training to candidates, players and referees too. Whereas FC Goa conducts coaching classes followed by tournaments for boys and girls, from 6yrs to 12yrs old, they get the full kit shoes, socks, shinguards, uniform everything. Water, snacks, medicine, Doctors present during coaching and tournaments too. FC Goa really give the children beautiful trophys, flags banners music making playing enjoyable. However children are only given shoes, socks that fall down, standard size uniform one size fits all you either fit tight or loose in it. So why not take this opportunity to assist Dylan and Andrew in their effort for St Josephs Calangute. Our cashless society means little or no change in wallet for donations most payments are now made by credit, debit or contactless if you can assist with a donation by Bank Transfer please contact Andrew 07456607498 or Dylan 07448448939 after Monday or as soon as possible. Report on this thriller tournament to follow. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath , Surrey 14 August 2021
