Grassroots mentor and athlete-turned-coach leaves behind decades-long legacy of nurturing young talent
MARGAO
Veteran football administrator and founder of Ave Maria Athletic & Walkers Club, Antonio Mascarenhas, passed away on Monday morning at Goa Medical College Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was 65.
Mascarenhas is survived by his wife Liberata, son Allister, and daughter Alizza.
In his early years, Antonio moved to Mumbai along with his younger brother Sebastian, where they were raised under the care of their grandparents at Gloria Building, Mazgaon. His formative years were shaped at Antonio D’Souza High School (ANZA), Byculla, where his athletic journey began to flourish under the guidance of the legendary coach and renowned journalist John Crasto. He also got trained under Bala Govind alongside Seby at the famous Juhu Sports Club especially in getting groomed to be an excellent athlete with the famous Olympian and AFI President Adille Sumariwala.
A gifted sprinter and hurdler, Antonio emerged as one of the finest school athletes of his time. His outstanding performances in sprints, hurdles, and relays played a decisive role in ANZA’s dominance at the Bombay Schools Athletic Championships held at the iconic Brabourne Stadium.
Antonio’s talent soon propelled him to the national stage, representing Maharashtra at New Delhi in 1980 in sprint hurdles and the 400 metres. His performances earned him recognition and commendation from the legendary Milkha Singh, a moment that stood as a testament to his athletic excellence.
He pursued his higher education at Akbar Peerbhoy College of Commerce, Mumbai, where he continued to excel in athletics. During this period, he competed alongside some of the finest athletes of his generation, including Michael D’Silva, Tony Baretto, Canute Magalhes and Aslam Bari.
His sporting achievements opened the doors to a professional career with the Income Tax Department, Mumbai, where he represented the department with distinction, winning several medals.
Antonio later moved to Qatar Airways, where he served diligently for over two decades. Once he returned to his roots in Goa, where his true legacy began to take shape—not as an athlete, but as a mentor and builder of lives.
A towering figure in grassroots football, Mascarenhas devoted decades to developing the sport among youth in Goa. Through his club, driven by the powerful motto “Save the Child,” he created a platform that became a beacon of hope for marginalized children. The initiative organized annual football and athletics training camps that promoted discipline, teamwork, and resilience, while steering youth away from addictions.
The club recently marked its Silver Jubilee at Don Bosco Oratory in Benaulim, celebrating years of impactful grassroots work. In a recent milestone, the club entered into a football training partnership with Paradeep Phosphates Limited at Zuarinagar. The initiative, launched at St. John the Baptist Church ground in Benaulim, marked a new chapter in community-driven sports development.
The Goan football fraternity has expressed deep sorrow at his passing, remembering him as a pillar of strength in the sport.
Former All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco said, “Antonio worked tirelessly for the development of football among youth, particularly the underprivileged. His death is a great loss to Goan football.”
Padma Shri awardee Brahmanand Shankhwalkar also paid tribute, recalling Mascarenhas’ dedication to uplifting young players. Anthony Pango, senior vice president of the Goa Football Association, highlighted his immense contribution through hard work, commitment, and passion.
Others, including AFC referee assessor Maria Rebello, former India striker Francis D'Souza, Armando Colaco, and Kenedy D Silva, expressed shock and grief, remembering him as a kind soul dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized through sport.
Former Goa Football Association president Elvis Gomes described Mascarenhas as the “guiding star” of the Ave Maria Club family, while treasurer Schubert Furtado extended heartfelt condolences.
In an official statement, the Goa Football Association noted that Mascarenhas was more than an administrator—he was a mentor who created opportunities for countless young footballers across Salcete. Under his leadership, the club regularly fielded age-group teams, many of whom went on to represent clubs in GFA leagues.
Antonio Mascarenhas will be remembered not only as a passionate football promoter but as a selfless mentor whose legacy lives on in the many young lives he shaped—on and off the field.
