Monday, 14. September 2009 - IndianFootball.Com reporter The football fraternity of India mourns the sudden passing away of football commentator Noel da Lima Leitao...
Noel was found dead earlier today in his hotel room in Kolkata, only a day after being a commentator in the final of the 114th IFA Shield. Reactions by the football fraternity Alberto Colaco (AIFF General Secretary) "It is a very sad news. We had worked together for a long time at the Goa Football Association. I remember when we were building the Duler ground, Noel let us use some of the mining machinery and saved us a lot of money. His death is a great loss for football." Baichung Bhutia (Captain, India) "I am very shocked to hear about his demise. Noel was a great friend. He has been very supportive throughout my career. I would like to offer my condolences to his family and loved ones." Jason Dasey (Former senior host of SportsCenter India and SportsCenter Asia) "Noel was one of the nicest and most knowledgeable guys I met in Indian football. We worked together in the broadcast team for the 2004 final of the IFA Shield and have stayed friends ever since. His comments were always perceptive, concise and hit the nail on the end. I can't believe that he's gone: just last month I put a coaching friend in-touch with Noel because he had so many contacts in Indian football. My condolences go out to the family of this beautiful and much-loved man." Huw Bevan (ESPN Star Sports Senior Vice-President of Production) "Noel's passing is very sad and of course unexpected coming so soon after he had been a part of our coverage of the IFA Shield. He was an illuminating and erudite television personality whose passion and knowledge of football always added so much value to our football programming for so many years." Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC & India midfielder) "I am still in a state of shock. Noel has helped me a lot when i was at Vasco Sports Club. He always backed me up, and used to offer advice. He was a good human being and a great commentator. His death is a big loss for the football fraternity in India." Debayan Sen (Zee Sports commentator) "Noel was much more than a colleague for me. He was more like a friend or an elder brother. Always on the side, his encouragement and criticisms were always invaluable. I can speak for my company in saying we'll miss him deeply." Mayanti Langer (TV Anchor) "Noel was one of the most entertaining and unique commentators I've had the pleasure of working with. He was at his best whenever Baichung scored. His legacy remains with his loving family. God speed Noel." Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC & India defender) "I was shocked to hear the news, he was a good human being and a sports lover who used to encourage, motivate and guide me whenever I met him. May his soul rest in peace!" Savio Messias (Goa Football Association Secretary) "His death was totally unexpected. He was a great administrator and one with lot of foresight. He was a great inspiration for Vasco Sport Club and Goan football." Derrick Pereira (ex-Vasco SC Coach from 2001-2005, Vasco native, and current Pune FC Coach) "I was completely shocked to hear of this unfortunate demise. My neighbour had called my wife in the afternoon to enquire about this matter, and it was only then that I heard about it. I had the opportunity to work with him for many years during my tenure as Vasco coach. He always encouraged me and our team, and those were my starting years as a coach in the NFL. He was a well-known person in our home-town of Vasco, and a great supporter of football here. After the news I visited my old friends from Vasco SC in the evening, and we were all just too shocked. He was very passionate about football, and that showed in his commentary, which he was very good at in his own unique style. Indian football will really miss him." Karim Bencharifa (Mohun Bagan coach) "I am destroyed. I heard the news on arrival in Delhi and could not believe it. I saw and spoke to Noel yesterday at the Saltlake Stadium. He actually called me up after the game and asked me to come across to his hotel for dinner. He said all will want to interact with the winning coach, but i'd rather sit with the losing coach and discuss football with you. I had gotten to know Noel very well in my time in Goa and really enjoyed his company. He was a knowledgeable gentleman, who loved football and had a passion for the game. It is a big loss for Indian football. My condolences to his wife and the children. May his soul rest in peace." Chirag Tanna (Head of Operations, Pune FC) "I was shocked when I read the story and would first like to give my heartfelt condolences to his family. I had the pleasure of meeting Noel at an AIFF meet in our inaugural season. He came across as a person who was extremely passionate about Indian Football. He will be missed dearly by the Indian football fraternity." Sukhvinder Singh (AIFF Marketing Head) "Noel reminds me of the energy and charisma that he possessed. It is a difficult time for his family and friends but I hope the memories of our dear friend shall help to overcome the sorrow. I wish Noel’s family all the strength to cope up with such a great loss." Franky Barreto (Former Indian international) "Undoubtedly Goa and India as a whole lost a football personality who always has sacrificed so much for the love of football, my sincere condolences to Noel's family and may his soul rest in peace. I started my football career and ended with Vasco Sports Club, and Noel was always the brain behind the club. It’s just shocking to hear the news." Chris Punnakkattu Daniel (COO & Assist. Editor-in-Chief IndianFootball.Com) "I would like to convey my condolences on behalf of the whole IndianFootball.Com team to the family and friends of Noel da Lima Leitao. It is a shocking news to the football family of India and we will miss Noel's commentary and expertise. May his soul rest in peace." Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC & India defender) "It is always a shocking news to hear that someone is lost. He was someone who closely worked and related himself with Indian football. I remember him saying 'Hi' to all of us after yesterday's final of the IFA Shield. May his soul rest in peace." Nuno Mousinho Esteves (CEO, Estoril Praia SAD & organizer of the Portugal/Spain Tours of Team India) "Noel is someone who will always be remembered by me. He was very supportive and helpful when i started my Indian football adventure back in November 2006 in Goa. RIP Noel and thank you!" Jules Alberto (former Indian international & Goa state player) "It's a sad shocking day for Goan and Indian Football to loose a huge football lover and an outspoken person who always sacrificed everything for football. Which all of us will miss. My condolences to his Family and may his soul rest in peace." Ghaus Mohammed (Football Commentator) "It is very sad news that I received today, only then I was watching the repeat telecast of IFA Shield final. He was with me in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2008 Euro Championship for ESPN-Star Sports. I know he liked me, as he used to speak in Hindi with me though his Hindi was not to good. We used to discuss all possible matters whether social or politics but the way he would think about football was remarkable. He used to have a very good relationship with his production team and with his co-commentator. He was such a great human being and very frank with his remarks and comments. We all lost a real friend and an experienced commentator." Gautam Roy (Football Statistician) "Noel's death was absolutely shocking. The three days I spent with him in the IFA Shield in my capacity of the Statistician will remain engraved in my life. He looked cheerful and indeed did not give any indication of any ailment. As usual his commentary was superb. Its the third year running that I was associated with him as the Statistician in the IFA Shield and he was excellent all through. A doyen in Indian football broadcasting - in the likes of Late Pearson Surita and Sydney Friskin - he was indeed a great soul and a jolly good fellow. Maybe the god takes the good ones like this." Xavier Vijaykumar (Captain, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) "Very sad news and a great dismiss for Indian football. May his soul rest in peace. He was doing excellent TV commentary on Indian football over ESPN and Zee Sports. Football commentary will not be same without Noel. I didn’t have any personal interaction with Noel. I came to know from my football circle that he was a great commentator and an excellent football administrator." Krishnan Nair Ajayan (Mahindra United midfielder) "Sad news for Indian football! I was not aware of it and only came to know after logging in to IndianFootball.Com, thanks for bringing the news! You might know that I had played for Vasco for 2 seasons. During that period we’ve interacted a lot. Noel was a great speaker and motivator. I especially like the way he motivated the players during my Vasco days. It is just a sheer coincidence, that I was catching the highlight of the IFA Shield Final sometime back on the TV. Noel was doing a preview of the match and I told my fellow colleagues that I know this guy for many years. And after sometime I am talking to you about his sad demise. This is so unfortunate and I am feeling very low!" R Girish Kumar (Sub Editor Sports, Mathrubhumi) "It's really a massive shock for Indian football. He was a motivator not only for the footballers, but also for football writers. His style of commentary was marvelous. And the timing of his sad death is also very shocking. A Goan club won the IFA shield for the first time and Goa lost his great son in the next morning. Really a shocking news." Details of this tragic news: http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1665