The newly formed Viva North Veterans Football Club will be hosting its first competition in memory of Brian Mendes, a talented goalkeeper, who is no more.
The Goan Network
Panaji
The newly formed Viva North Veterans Football Club will be hosting its first competition in memory of Brian Mendes, a talented goalkeeper, who is no more.
“The Viva North Veterans Football Club (VNVFC) was formed after a bunch of passionate football players who are done with their time in competitive football felt the urge to carry on playing the game. And so VNVFC will provide all players who are past their prime a platform to pursue their passion,” said Genevieve Fernandes, convener of the veterans club.
“The VNVFC will be organizing a tournament each year in memory of veterans who have served the State and the nation and also plan in the near future to launch a fund to help football veterans who are in need of financial aid,” he added.
Brian played a stellar role in ensuring Goa emerge champs in the Under-21 championship held at Campal, in 1983. Goa beat Punjab 2-0 in the finals.
Recalling Brian, who also did service for Dempo and had a call up for the Tata Academy.
Trevor Pavia, assistant goalkeeper to Brian in the State squad, said that Brian was exceptional. “ He was sharp and had great reflexes. The defence would be at ease knowing that a dependable goalkeeper is behind them. He was soft-spoken and a peaceful teammate,” said Trevor adding that he would have definitely represented the country.
Legendary Indian goalkeeper and Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Shankhwalkar pointed that out that Brain was an upcoming talented goalkeeper and had everything to make it big. “He had a good temperament and was a calm goalkeeper. I played along with him in Candolim. He had a great career in football.”
Agustine Dias, a former Sesa stalwart and now a GFA coach described Brain as phenomenal. “ His somersault, reflexes, agility and plucking of the aerial ball was outstanding. Till date I have not seen a goalkeeper of his caliber. He was very talented.”
The tournament is scheduled for February 20, 2016 and will be held at the Dr Gustavo Monteiro football stadium, Candolim. Besides a host of personal individual prizes, the VNVFC have instituted a cash winners prize of Rs 30,000 and a runners-up purse of Rs 20,000.
For details veteran teams may contact 9822522994 and 9096076068 for registration, the last date for entries being February 16.
