MARGAO
Mahesh Gawli, the stopper who once held the distinction of being the highest paid Indian footballer, has been named as the recipient of this year’s prestigious Bakshi Bahaddar Jivabadada Kerkar award along with contemporaries Samir Naik and Alvito D’Cunha.
Gawli began his international career in 1999 and played a key role for the national team till he called its quits in 2011. He donned the national jersey on 65 occasions, winning the National Football League (NFL) with Churchill Brothers Sports Club, East Bengal and Mahindra United. He then helped Dempo Sports Club to clinch two I-League titles besides being a pivotal part of the team that reached the semi-finals of 2008 AFC Cup.”I want to thank my family for allowing me to play the game and give me the freedom to choose it as a career. This award is for all of them as much it is for my family; all my team-mates and coaches. I also need to thank the Goa government that recognised my service in the field of soccer,” the Cuncolim-based footballer said.
“I would like to thank all my fans for standing by me in my good and bad times,” Gawli, an AFC C licence holder, said. “Football has given me so much and it’s important that the footballer who had the rewards in the game passes on his knowledge. I am looking to do the UEFA Licence course and use that experience to give back in some way. I am nothing without football. Even today, I train because I enjoy playing,” Gawli added.
At present, Gawli works as head coach of Mumbai-based U Sports, which has a tie-up with Hoffenheim, Germany.
