MARGAO
Having played in the attacking midfielder position through his football career, general secretary of Curtorim Gymkhana, former footballer, coach and referee James D'Costa has now conquered the Congress, APP and Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco in his first battle on the political turf, becoming the Panch of VP Curtorim to make it to the village body.
The newly elected Panch rates his latest victory as the toughest and most memorable, even when compared to being a footballer or turning out for Goa Police, Ryan International, Mumbai in First Division, Curtorim Gymkhana and Maina Sports Club in the Second Dvision league.
He was instrumental in promoting Youth Club of Manora to First Division from Second Division. He also trained Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Professional league. He was the coach of Snow's Football Academy in GFA.S Under-18 League and remained unbeaten. He also officiated for WIFA and Goa Professional League.
"In football, when your opponents commit a foul on the field, they do so openly. But in politics, your rivals are forever ready to hit you below the belt," D'Costa told 'The Goan'. "So I shall keep this victory ahead of all my other accomplishments," said D'Costa to Wilson Luis in a quadrangle fight in the by-polls earlier his month
He dedicated his victory to the people of his wards. He is joined the list of sportspersons, namely, Francisco Sardinha, Gabriel Silva, Armando Estibeiro, Jose Azavedo, Ambrose Dias and Joaquim Pacheco to have made it to the Panchayat body.
D Costa served as president of Curtorim Veterans Club. But even in his new avatar, D'Costa has set his eyes on returning to the game which has given him so much.
"It's my dream to develop and upgrade DYSA football Ground the hand over to the panchayat to generate revenue by doling out to the clubs for training and it will be long dreams of people."
"I want to work for the people and with the people. I have been out on the roads and by-lanes of my wards after my victory. I am trying to understand the people's problems. But my voters know I shall do whatever they tell me to do," he said.
