GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994)® www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ www.goa-world.com http://www.goa-world.com/goa/credit%5Ccredit.htm Tumcam Maie-mogacho ieukar. Stay tuned to Gulf Goans e-Newsletter - everyday someone, somewhere learns a little... IFRA-Kuwait Bids Farewell to Anthony D'Costa Report by Julio Cardoso IFRA Organizes 8 a side Farewell Tournament Kuwait: They say ‘Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority’ and this is exactly how one can define Anthony D’Costa who will be retiring shortly from Kuwait and returning to his beautiful home in Saligao – Goa after having spent 34 glorious years in this wonderful country. IFRA members offer a Plaque to Mr. Anthony D'Costa The Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) last week organized an Eight A Side tournament at the Digital Grounds in Kuwait city to honour and appreciate Tony (as he is popularly known) who qualified as a football referee in 1985 with IFRA and served the Association with distinction and graduated to be a Class 1 referee over the years. The glittering trophies The one day open tournament which was also officiated by IFRA officials and played from 7:30am till noon featured 16 teams including one Thai team, was eventually won by DHL Kuwait who edged out Trissur Challengers in the tie breaker after normal time of seven minutes each half had ended goalless. Skyden Boys, and CRC Chinchinim were the losing semi-finalist while the other participating teams were Goa Maroons, Real Betalbatim, Navelim, Saligao, Feni, Thailand, BM Viegas 8, Sparx, Indian Strikers, Don Bosco Oratory, Indians and Kerala Rising Stars. Tony D'Costa being introduced to the finalists Both the finalists pose for a pic with Tony D'Costa Tony giving the kick off before the start of the final Referee Michael and Assistants Simon and Jose - officiated the final Could not hold back the tears IFRA President Francis Fernandes presents a plaque to Tony Junifer and Diago presenting Tony with a memento from IFRA Andy by his father's side as Tony makes an emotional speech During the presentation ceremony, an emotional Tony D’Costa was in tears while speaking about his many years in Kuwait. He came to Kuwait in 1978 and first played for the famous Goan Sporting Club that won the first Indian soccer tournament organized in Kuwait, “the United Goans Trophy”, for two years consecutively. Tony than went on to play for Incredible XI before forming his own team ‘Saligao Sporting’ and for a few years conducted the popular Ramadan inter-village tournament as well. Newly elected president of IFRA, Francis Fernandes paid glowing tributes to Tony and appreciated his many years of dedicated service to the Association. He presented Tony with a plaque while senior members Diago Rebello and Junifer Rodrigues presented him with a gold chain on behalf of the Association. Separate mementos were also presented to Tony D’Costa by Salvador Dias (Kuwait Goan Association) and B.M. Viegas. Besides the winners, runners up trophies and individual trophies to the finalists, trophies were also given for the best defender (John of DHL), best midfielder (Barbosa DHL) best forward (Hemant of DHL)and best goalkeeper ( Sainudeen of Trissur Challengers). IFRA is grateful to Vijay Gonsalves, Ibrahim Sohafi of Habchi & Chaloub and Talat El Kaasamani for sponsoring the various trophies and to Nikush, Fr. Franco Pereira sdb, Simon Anthony, Lloyd D’Souza and all other members and well wishers who helped make the farewell occasion a very memorable one. http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=347891 This report was also published in Arab Times www.arabtimesonline.com (Full Page - 43) on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. .. The First Online Konkani Music Station - Started on March 14, 2000 http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Konkani Video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/uly334 www.targetgoa.com http://goablog100.blogspot.com www.goenche.com www.q8india.com
