MARGAO
The Goa Football Referees Association (GFRA) honoured 59 match officials at its Annual Felicitation Ceremony held at St Xavier's College, Mapusa, recognising their contribution to football officiating across FIFA, national and state levels.
The association presented 21 Lifetime Excellence Awards to veteran referees for their long-standing contribution to the sport, 18 Distinguished Service Awards for exemplary performance and service, and 20 Meritorious Service Awards to officials who excelled across various divisions in Goa.
Former Chief Minister and veteran sports administrator Churchill Alemao, the chief guest, underlined the vital role referees play in football and compared their authority on the field to the country's highest judicial institution.
"Referees are the backbone of football. Their decision on the field is like a Supreme Court order—final, absolute, and deserving of complete respect," Alemao said, while commending match officials for their dedication and selfless service to Goan football.
Guest of Honour Avertano Furtado stressed that the future growth of Goan football depends on maintaining high refereeing standards.
Another Guest of Honour, Benjamin Silva, joined other dignitaries in congratulating the awardees for their discipline, commitment and service throughout the season.
The function was attended by Goa Football Association representatives, including senior vice-president Anthony Pango, along with John Pereira, Laxman Hadfadkar, Babli Mandrekar, Patwin, Andrew, Uday Linguidkar and Shubert Furtado.
GFRA secretary Parmanand J. Mandrekar highlighted the influence of referees on every football match, saying fair and firm officiating ensures satisfaction for players, supporters and team management alike.
Receiving the Lifetime Excellence Award, veteran referee Anthony J. D'Costa thanked the association for the honour and urged young referees to embrace discipline, continuous learning and hard work to raise the standard of officiating in Goa.
GFRA president Constancio Paul Rodrigues thanked the dignitaries for their support and reaffirmed the association's commitment to the development, welfare and technical training of referees in the state.
AWARDS
Lifetime Excellence Award: Bernadino Velho, Milagres Tereza, Anthony J. D'Costa, Goculdas Nagvenkar, Agnelo A. Fernandes, Anjulo P. Fernandes, Mauricio Almeida, Francisco Fernandes (Q), Ashok Shirodkar, Blair Rodrigues, Adley D'Costa, Jayandra Nagvenkar, Osvaldo Da Costa, Egidio D'Costa, Ragunath Gosavi, Constancio Paul Rodrigues, Francisco Fernandes (B), Benjamin D'Silva, Hemant Bandorkar, Maria Rebello and Braz Rodrigues.
Distinguished Service Award: Sharad Naik, Milagres Noronha, Dharma Chondakar, Chandrashekar Shirodkar, Sunil Nanodkar, Sainath Aldankar, Joaquim M. D'Silva, Anthony Elvis Simoes, Chudu Shirodkar, Melwyn D'Costa, Tejas Nagvenkar, Prasad Surlekar, Shankar Kalangutkar, Joa Pereira, Anthony Braganca, Anthony Almeida, Greg Estrocio and Parmanand J. Mandrekar.
Meritorious Service Award: Anthony Caiado, Eknath Govekar, Rohidas A. Bhomkar, Mariano Valadares, Yeshwant Parab, Agnelo G. Fernandes, Francis D'Souza, Anthony L. Fernandes, Jose Dias, Yeshwant Gaonkar, Valenton R. Fernandes, Yuraj Tari, Jagannath Gaonkar, Pratap Goltekar, Pravin Naik, Deepraj Sangelkar, Camilo Baptista, Peter Fernandes, Pradeep K. Chodankar, Soccoro Barreto and Francis Cardozo.
