Young Goans Club - the club that provided a platform for all Goans
The expat clubs are badly hit on revenues.... the expatriate community of Bahrain has suffered equally bad on entertainment and social gatherings. Reason: The directives from the Ministry of Social Affairs to ban sale of alcohol at the clubs has made a great impact on the social activities of the clubs. Many of the expatriate clubs have brought down their operations to a minimum to minimise expenses. Some of the clubs have diverted thier activity to other avenues to raise income for them. The Kanada Sangha has launched coaching classes at their premises for school children of upto 12th standard. The Karnataka Social Club has decided to sub lease part of its newly built premises.
The worst effected are the members of Young Goans Club (YGC), who are left high and totally dry. The club that once boasted of having one of the largest premises amongst the Asian clubs in Bahrain is presently without a club house. This was the club that provided a platform for all Goans to celebrate every Goan festival in Bahrain.
The crowded attendances for New Year's Dance, Carnival, May Queen Ball, Bandra Fair, St. Francis Xavier's Feast and for Christmas was a stamp of the large presence of Goans in Bahrain. X'mas tree party and Easter eggs used to bring cheer to the members children. The club was the forum for Konkani stage artistes based in Bahrain, and a venue for Konkani programmes. It also used to provided Goan footballers and hockey players an opportunity to continue their love for this sport by fielding teams in many local competitions.
Alas! Not only almost all the facilities are lost, but the existence of club itself is in danger. The dwindling of the income is only one side of the story that has brought the YGC to its present state. The internal feud and personal enemity among the club committees in the millenium year created a major rift among the senior most members of the club. Many elite members have now distanced themselves from the club affairs. The result = YGC that once commanded 1000 members has just over a 100 members on its live roll now.
The Managing Committee that used to consist of 12 posts is left only with a President and a Treasurer. Just about 30 members attended a recently called Annual General Body Meeting. However, not a single member present was willing to take over the management of the club and elections could not be held as there were no nominations. YGC, in the past used to witness fierce competition for the managing committee posts. The year 2000 marked bitter rivalry and major conflicts among members to remain in power. All eyes were on the large turnout of bar sales, then. Today, with alcohol banned and with all funds drained out YGC is fighting for its survival.
The Goan identity in Bahrain is at risk. The senior most members in the past had tried to unite the warring factions of this club and failed. Probably, another try from like minded members could now succeed as the factor (alcohol sales) that created the rift is now withdrawn from the clubs.
The present state of YGC will greatly hurt the founder members of this club, who some 50 years ago formed this institution with contributions from their own pockets and great personal sacrifices. Many voices are now heard proposing a complete revival of the club. But the big question is 'Who will bell the cat?'
An exclusive report by www.goa-world.com
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