MARGAO
Former football stars, administrators, politicians and hundreds of fans gathered in Carmona on Sunday for the funeral of legend Menino A Figueiredo who died on April 8.
Savio Madeira, former technical director of All India Football Federation (AIFF), attended the funeral while Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, former AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco, Brahamanand Shankhwalkar, former India captain, and Churchill Alemao, former Benaulim MLA, paid a condolence visit to Figueiredo's residence.
The former football star, Goa's first player to represent the Indian national team in the international arena and the captain of the State's first Santosh Trophy team, was laid to rest at Carmona church cemetery.
"My condolences to his family and loved ones. He made immense contributions to football. We will miss him. Rest in peace," said Dr Shaji Prabhakaran, AIFF Secretary General, in his tribute.
"Deeply saddened by the news of his death. His eternal soul may rest in peach. My condolences to his family," said Anil Kamat, Assistant General Secretary of the AIFF.
"I heard a lot about him from my father. A tough footballer who feared no one, not even the Portuguese players. May his soul rest in peace," said Derrick Pereira, former India defender.
"His words in one of his interviews in 2020 that in today's world, it was all about money, was in my opinion, a candid expression of what he saw was going on in Goan football. He said that without a love for the game, football cannot be in a player’s grasp. I wish Goan players pay heed to his advice and pray for repose to his soul," said Elvis Gomes, former president of Goa Football Association.
"He was a legend. I was not fortunate to see him play but those who did, admired and praised the versatile footballer and an excellent human being," said Francis D'Souza, former international and former national referee.
