MARGAO
A stream of visitors paid tributes to Assistant General Secretary and Director Competition of All India Football Federation Anil Kamat as his mortal remains were brought to his home village Chinchinim from Delhi on Thursday night.
The mortal remains was accompanied by the family in the presence of All India football Federation Manager Competition Vinod Panikar and his office assistant Ram Balak Das which was cremated on Friday morning at Chinchinim Crematorium.
It is to Anil's personal credit that he has held a position of responsibility and honour in AIFF and is the first and only sportsperson from Chinchinim to hold the exhalted post that makes sports enthusiasts feel proud and honoured. In his early days he was on MMHS soccer team and completed SSC .He Associated with CRCC and Salcete FC. His initiative helped register Union of Chinchinim Villagers F.C
Anil as the senior official at AIFF, loved, respected served for an uninterrupted 25 years as Asst.General Secretary and Director of Competitions. He was recognised as an authority of competition and match operation with his landmark contributions. Due to his preoccupation with work at AIFF, his fleeting visits to his native place often went unnoticed.
Former General Secretary of All India Football Federation Alberto Colaco, Padma Shree and former Indian goalkeeper Brahamanad Shankhwalkar, Sporting Clube coach Armando Colaco, senior vice-president of Goa Football Association Anthony Pango along with GFA Executive members joined in paying homage.
'The departure of Anil Kamat is a personal loss. I have known him for more than 20 years and closely followed all his exploits in football. We will always remember Kamat as an able administrator who has given everything for the game. It will be difficult for AIFF to fill a vacuum left by him,” said Former Secretary General of All India Football Federation Dr Shaji Prabhakaran.
"Anil was very helpful and very good friend of most football enthusiasts, will miss him. May his soul rest in peace," said Derick Pereira.
"Anil was my best friend and always discuss with him of football on telephone and was always of help to the players. I would visit his house whenever he came for holidays in Goa," said former India captain and coach of Dempo Sports Club Mauricio Afonso.
