Arlem sponsored Vasco Sports Club, felicitated their team member and Goa's
ace footballer and Arjuna Awardee Shri Bruno Coutinho at the hands of Shri
Manohar Parrikar, The Chief Minister of Goa at an impressive felicitation
function held this evening at the Port City of Vasco. All the speakers
showered praises on Bruno for his excellent achievement. Speaking as the
Guest of Honour, the Hon'ble Sports Minister, Shri Micky Pacheco
congratulated the Arjuna Awardee and paid rich tributes to him. Recalling
the words of the former National football coach Akramov, he said Bruno is
made of World Cup Standard. He said that present Govt., has taken the
development of sports in the State of Goa very seriously which was not done
by the earlier successive Governments in the State. He said the Govt.,
will be laying full stress for the development of sports at the School
level and all assistance will be rendered. He also sought the cooperation
from the parents for the task ahead.
The Chief Minister in his address said that Bruno receiving the
Arjuna Award is a matter of immense Pride for all in the State where
football has a wide following. 'It is a pride for my Govt., because it was
given at a time when the Govt. ruling at the Centre and in the State of Goa
is the same. Incidentally he said, the first ever Arjuna Award to a Goan
Sportsman was also won during the BJP Govt., at the Centre. He said the
Govt will do everything for the development of Sports, and will come out
with a Sports Policy in three months time. The Sports Minister he said is
fully committed to the development of sports. He stated that the Govt., has
decided to reward the Arjuna Awardee with Rs. 5 lakhs, or offer a suitable
plot or help him to buy a residential place, as per his preference.
Vasco's MLA Shri Rajendra Arlekar who presided over the function
also spoke. Mr. Noel da Lima Leitao, who compered the function and also
spoke briefly said, that the very fact that Bruno has been honoured with
the Arjuna Award for a Team sports like football indicates that he has done
something exceptionally good to deserve this. He has displayed excellent
individual prowess in football. He said Bruno brought terror to the
goalkeepers facing him at the international level whenever he represented
his country. Making a passionate and intense appeal to the Chief Minister,
he said "Mr. Chief Minister, I request you not to get bogged down by the
Cash reward of Rs. 5 Lakh. A sportsman's career is short and I appeal to
you to enhance the amount to Rs. 25 lakhs for the Arjuna Awardee, including
the State's first Arjuna Awardee Mr. Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, so that it
would help them in later years." This he said would inspire other sportsmen
to bring more Arjuna Awards to the State. This appeal incidentally made the
CM take note of it, and he was seen jotting a note instantly. Mr. Lima
Leitao, also appealed to the CM to name the two stands at the Fatorda
Stadium after the two Arjuna Awardees. He also thanked the CM for the
financial support the Govt., gave the club during the last year, which he
said is being utilised to train youngsters to become future stars in sports.
Earlier Shri Vinod Parkhot, the President of Vasco Sports Club welcomed the
dignitaries. Representatives of several Sports Clubs, Individuals, Social
Organisations and Educational Institutions garlanded the Arjuna Awardee.
Bruno was presented a Memento at the hands of the Chief Minister. Bruno in
his brief speech thanked all sports lovers, Coaches and the Govt., for the
honour and said that his hard work and dedication had brought him this
Award. The function was well attended by sports lovers, citizens, students,
and others. Shri V.M. Prabhudesai, Executive Director, Sports Authority of
Goa, Dr. Susan De Souza, Director of Youth Affairs were also
present. Mario Leitao, Secretary Vasco Sports Club, proposed the Vote of
Thanks.
Daniel F. de Souza
Vasco da Gama.
1st Sept'02
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