Today, 20.05.16 GFA revived the historic Bandodcar Gold Cup. It is heartening news. It was in 1969 at MCC Ground Margao, during the final of Taca Goa played between Sesa Goa and Vasco that the then GFA president Mr. Parkot requested Shri D.B. Bandodcar, the then Chief Minister of Goa, to help GFA to organize a major soccer tournament in Goa, I was then playing for Sesa Goa and was a witness to what was spoken there . Responding to Parkot, in his speech as a Chief Guest, Bandodcar immediately agreed and thus this Trophy was born in his name.
Politically, I differ in his views but in sports I fully agree with him and one thing one must accept that what services he rendered for Goan sports none has done, of course with the exception of Fr. Mendonca the then Principal of St. Joseph High School Arpora that produced the mightiest sportsmen of Goa then.
During its first edition itself Bandodcar Gold Cup tournament turned out to be a big success where flood of spectators poured on to the stadium at Vasco where in the final, Leaders Club of Jullundur, Punjab, skippered by the then skipper of India, Inder Singh, defeated Goa’s Salgaocar. Inder Singh became the darling of the Goans due to his sheer skill in dribbling, shooting and running when he was sprinting 100 metres in 11 seconds. After the final, he was presented with a costly Gold Chain in appreciation of his excellent display of soccer.
I welcome the revival of this tournament and wish the organizers all success.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 750739349.