PANAJI
Roldão Fernandes and his panel have been elected unopposed to the newly formed Goa Cultural Association (GCA) in Qatar.
While Roldão, a banker hailing from Cansaulim“Verna and raised in Qatar, was elected unopposed as president of GCA, the other members in his panel are Dr Queenie Fernandes, Mario Jude D’Costa, Larissa Judeth Abraham, Emmanuel Neville Azavedo, Sebastian Mascarenhas, Martin Mascarenhas, Carol Gonsalves, Liberata Femandes, Trecilda Pereira and Ollancio Valentino Soares.
The Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), which operates under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Qatar has approved the GCA as the sole recognised Goan body under the ICC.
The final list of contesting candidates was approved by the ICC on November 27. Online election for the position of President and Managing Committee for the term 2025 ” 2027 was to have been conducted on December 10 in accordance with the Constitution of the Associate Organisations of the ICC, while the results were to be declared the same day.
In his message, Roldão reaffirmed that the new committee will work for the overall betterment of the community.
He reiterated their commitment to organising key annual events, including Goa Day, the Christmas Tree celebration, Community Picnic, Valentine Nite, Sports Day, Football, Hockey, and the flagship May Ball, scheduled for May 7.
“A noteworthy highlight of the new team is that most of the 11 committee members under Roldão are either born or raised in Qatar. This marks a new generation of Goan leadership deeply connected to Qatar, grounded in community values, and committed to preserving and promoting Goan identity abroad,” said Roldão.
“The new GCA hopes to revive, rebuild, and rejuvenate the cultural, social, and sporting activities in Qatar.”
Five experienced members of the Goan community in Qatar have been appointed to the Advisory Board to lend guidance and support to the newly elected committee. They are Filomeno Alves, Tina Fernandes, Ambrosio Dias, Jorge Gomes and Menino Franco.
Earlier this year, the ICC, while acting as per directions received from the Embassy of India, had decided that the ‘Goan Welfare Association’ under the aegis of the Indian Cultural Centre would be renamed as ‘Goa Cultural Association’.
According to the ICC, the Embassy of India also expected the name ‘Goan Welfare Association’ to be ceased for any further usage even in the private capacity and that no past or present executive committee member of GWA shall revive this name in future.
