CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
All India Football Federation Technical Director Savio Madeira has expressed his delight at being chosen for the prestigious Bakshi Bahaddar Jivbadada Kerkar Award, saying the timing of the recognition was “better late than never”.
The former India and Salgaocar FC coach said, “I am happy that my performance and hard work is being rewarded. It motivates me to perform better... It is a recognition of my work and I’m excited.”
Madeira, who hails from Fatorda, has also worked as the Under-23 national coach. The former footballer has had an illustrious career and has served Indian football for long. A Salgaocar legend, Savio spent 17 years at the club, winning three Federation Cup titles and a National Football League title. The 51-year-old then took up coaching in 2000 at his old club.
After spending one year as an assistant coach, he took up the head coach’s role in 2001 and in a spell that lasted seven years guided Salgaocar to a Durand Cup triumph and a runners-up finish in the 2002-03 NFL season. Savio then took up a role with the Indian national team as an assistant coach from 2008 till 2011 and was made the interim head coach for a brief period, where he helped India claim the SAFF Championship in 2011. He continued as the assistant coach till 2015 before having a stint as the head coach of the India U-23 side.
