MARGAO
As Raia celebrates the traditional ‘Konsanchem fest’ (harvest feast) on the feast day of Our Lady of Snows on Monday, August 5, the entire village will be in a celebratory mood.
As has been a practice for years, parish priest Rev Fr Januario da Costa will step into the fields at a special arc near the Panchayat ground and cut the first sheaves of paddy using a silver sickle, to ceremoniously reap the fruits of the farmers’ labour.
Once the Church activity is over in the morning, action shifts from the paddy field to a lush green playing surface in the evening. Nobody misses the event; the village’s elders, youngsters, women, all of them take their seats at the Panchayat ground. Just like the festivities in the morning, the final of the Goa’s oldest Custodio Memorial inter-village football tournament is the biggest draw in the village, and over the years “ it’s been 51 years since its inception “ the tournament has become the best-attended, drawing crowd from across the state.
It was in 1971 that Peter D’Souza took the initiative of conducting a tournament in memory of his brother, Custodio, a former player with Clube Independente, a First Division team of the sixties and seventies. The tournament has been unfailingly conducted since then and Peter has witnessed it all.
Peter, however, wasn’t alone in kick-starting the tournament. He was assisted by his Independente teammate Joaquim Antao.
With an unwavering commitment to the sport, the organizers have upheld the tournament’s legacy, overcoming challenges and even navigating through the stormy waters of a global pandemic, which led to a two-year hiatus.
The tournament final which is played on the occasion of feast of Our Lady of Snow (Nossa Senhora de Neves) in Raia will have the entire state of Goa resonate with the tournament’s fervour, making it a cultural spectacle that unites communities and revives the essence of tradition.
“This is the oldest tournament in Goa and everyone looks forward to the final. The crowd response is amazing. The stands will be packed and one doesn’t get to move until the prize distribution is over,” said Luis Caetano Cardozo, president of the organizing club, Raia Sporting.
Several tournaments were started in the sixties and seventies but not many have managed to stay relevant since the turn of the century. Finances have been the biggest hurdle in continuing with these tournaments but Raia Sporting never faced such problems.
The final showdown promises to be nothing short of legendary as host Raia Sporting Club and United Club of Verna lock horns on the hallowed grounds. Football fans eagerly anticipate an exhilarating clash. Distinguished personalities will grace the occasion, adding an extra layer of prestige to the event. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai, a prominent figure in Goan politics, Fr Januario da Costa parish priest of Our Lady of Snow's Church Raia will also be present, underscoring the tournament’s significance.
Apart from the coveted championship title, the winners and runners-up will be rewarded handsomely, with the victors claiming a prize of Rs 1,00,000 and the second-placed team securing Rs 70,000. and the housie prize Rs 50,000 on offer.
The 51st edition of the Custodio Memorial Football Tournament isn’t just a milestone; it’s a testament to the enduring love affair between Goa and its favourite sport.
