By Our Chief Reporter
PANAJI
Close to 30 years after he helped build the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in a record time of just six months, former sports minister Francisco Monte Cruz was left weeping tears of joy as former sportspersons, officials and administrators walked up to him and acknowledged his remarkable contribution that gave Goa its first multipurpose stadium.
Monte Cruz was the centre of attraction during the second get-together of players, officials and administrators – all above the age of 60 – organised by the Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) the Coco Loco in Agassaim. His felicitation brought into focus the efforts that the former sports minister put in to make Goa’s dream of an international stadium come true.
Monte Cruz, who was wheeled in, has been unwell for quite some time and cannot speak. But his mere presence was enough to light up the afternoon where the gathering recollected their good old days.
Monte Cruz was presented with a replica of the stadium and a collage of his own pictures by AWES president Avertano Furtado.
Unlike last year’s event where only footballers were present, this time around AWES got together champions in most sports. Besides football, there were champions from the sports of volleyball, badminton, table tennis, athletics and basketball.
“As a sporting fraternity we should be grateful to Francisco Monte Cruz. It was because of him that the stadium could come up at Fatorda in a record time. Can you imagine the kind of sacrifices that he would have made to ensure that everything was working according to schedule? Can you imagine the kind of pressure he must have had to deliver on time,” asked AWES president Avertano Furtado during his welcome address.
Besides a galaxy of former players, the event was graced by high-profile administrators like Shivanand Salgaocar, Vijai Chowgule, R.B Jirage and Digambar Kamat.
The day was also special for Minguel Rebello, who coincidentally celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday. The former player from Curtorim was given the honour of cutting the celebratory cake.
