Staff reporter
Navelim
The Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) successfully hosted its annual Sports Veterans Festival and Get-Together on Saturday at the Sinquetim Sports Complex, Navelim. The event, powered by Sesa-Vedanta, saw a gathering of former players, officials, and administrators who shared an evening of nostalgia and fellowship.
Armando Colaco, the first Goan to receive the Dronacharya Award, Digambar Kamat, the first Goan elected to the World Aquatic Bureau, and Marcus Mergulhao, the first Goan to win the Press Council of India’s National Award for Excellence in Journalism, were among those honored.
“I don’t know where to start or where to end, but in short and brief, I retired 1985, and straight away my good friend Alberto Colaco and Adrian Mascarenhas called me to coach salcete fc. Well, that’s it. I thank them from the bottom of my heart because it’s there where they gave me the platform to express myself in coaching.After 40 years, 1985 I started and till 2025 I am still going strong. But this dronanaCharya doesn’t belong to me alone. There were so many club owners, but then it’s the good supporting staff, the players who are always there by my side.” said Armando Colaco.
Veteran sportspersons and officials such as Dilip Salgaoncar, Anil Madgavkar, Rosephyl Menezes, and others were also recognized for their dedication and contributions to sports in
Goa.
Speaking at the event, Sports Minister Govind Gaude praised the efforts of AWES, emphasizing the importance of honoring elder sportspersons. “I would like to congratulate AWES for this event, and on behalf of goa govt would like to congratulate Mr Colaco and other felicitees,” he said.
AWES President Derrick Pereira, a former football international, reflected on the significance of the event: “Every year we try and bring together our heroes, who see everyone under one roof, fills our hearts with joy.You see a hall full of stars who dominated their sports like football, hockey, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, athletics and swimming.You all have shown exemplary values of hard work, discipline and education and have contributed immensely to the cause of sports in Goa. “
The evening began with sports activities for veterans at 5 pm, before culminating in the heartfelt felicitation ceremony.
The event was co-sponsored by Vimson, Shivanand Salgaocar Group, Dempo Group of Companies, FC Goa, and Sporting Clube de Goa.
