MARGAO
Anthony Francis Vas, a veteran sportsman and a key figure in the development of football and hockey in Goa, continues to leave an enduring impact on the State’s sporting landscape.
Currently serving as an Executive Committee member of the Goa Football Association (GFA), Vas has spent decades nurturing talent, officiating matches, and leading clubs with vision and dedication.
Vas’s sporting journey began in the classrooms and fields of Our Lady of Rosary High School, Caranzalem, before transferring to St Joseph’s High School, Calangute. It was here that Anthony Lobo, a revered Physical Education teacher, recognised his multi-sport talent. Under Lobo’s mentorship, Vas thrived across various disciplines, including football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, athletics, and chess.
A defining moment came in Standard VII when he represented Goa at the Nehru Hockey Cup in Delhi. Playing for St Joseph’s, Calangute, he scored in the final to help his team defeat Fr Agnel, Pilar, 3-2 — all while experiencing an artificial turf for the first time, long before such facilities were available in Goa.
Mentored by noted coach Elither Fernandes, Vas emerged as a mainstay in school hockey. His accolades include three Nehru Cup titles and appearances at U14, U15, U16, and U19 levels for Goa, in addition to representing the State in the Rural Games (Haryana), School Nationals (Delhi), and Senior Nationals (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).
At the club level, Vas played for a host of teams including Caranzalem Hockey Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Bastora United, Carvalho Brothers, and Crozen Society. His transition to coaching saw him take charge of both men’s and women’s hockey teams at Goa University and the Junior Women’s National Team in Hyderabad.
Though a hockey stalwart, Vas maintained a parallel passion for football. At Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Panaji, he excelled in football and athletics, later representing Aivao Youth Club and Panjim Footballers.
A pivotal turning point arrived when referee assessor Angelo Albuquerque identified Vas’s potential as a match official. He went on to become one of Goa’s most respected referees, officiating high-profile encounters including Sporting Clube vs Dempo SC and Salgaocar vs Churchill Brothers. Notably, he became Goa’s first certified futsal referee, earning widespread praise in local tournaments for his impartiality and composure.
Veteran Patrick D’Souza once remarked, “When Anthony Vas was the centre referee, we had nothing to complain about. He made timely and accurate decisions.” Long-time associate Shankar Kalangutecar added, “He was always early to the ground and ready to officiate with full commitment.”
In his administrative and coaching roles, Vas has been a driving force behind the rise of Sporting Clube de Goa’s youth programme. As Youth Manager, he oversaw multiple title wins in the U14, U16, U18 (twice), and U20 (three times) categories, including a qualification to the AIFF U18 Youth Championship in Meghalaya.
His expertise was further recognised by the GFA, which appointed him to coach the Sub-Junior State Team. The side progressed from the qualifying rounds in Madhya Pradesh to the national stage in Kerala. He also guided the Goa Senior Women’s Team to an unbeaten run at the nationals, where they were held only by eventual champions Tamil Nadu.
As President of Panjim Footballers, Vas oversaw the club’s rise from the Third Division to the Goa Professional League. Under his leadership, the club won the Goa Police Cup and clinched consecutive titles in the Vedanta Women’s League. The club made history by becoming the first Goan team to participate in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in Punjab.
A humble, tireless, and visionary sportsman, Anthony Francis Vas remains a cornerstone of Goan football. His unwavering dedication continues to shape the state’s sporting future as he serves the Goa Football Association with quiet pride and commitment.
