Panaji: Goa football condoles the passing of Antonio Mascarenhas, President of Ave Maria Athletic & Walkers Club, a dedicated figure in grassroots sport whose work shaped generations of young athletes.
A former sprinter and hurdler of repute, Mascarenhas represented Maharashtra at the national level and earned praise from legendary athlete Milkha Singh. Along with his brother Sebastian and wife Liberad, he co-founded the Ave Maria Athletic & Walkers Club in Salcete, creating a structured platform for underprivileged and marginalised youth. Through regular football and athletics training programmes, he provided young boys with opportunities to develop discipline, confidence and life skills.
Under his leadership, the club consistently fielded teams in age-group competitions, with several players progressing to represent clubs in Goa’s football leagues. His emphasis on holistic development ensured that sport became a pathway for personal growth and social upliftment.
