MARGAO
The village of Curtorim in Salcete has produced legends in Goan football with the likes of Armando Colaco, Antonio Rebello, Cyril Rodrigues, Robert Fernandes, Roy Baretto and Maria Rebello excelling in the sport. But Joaquim Gunja remains a unique player among his illustrious villagers.
The former defender played with a fierce determination and instilled fear in his opponents with his hard and robust tackling. His attitude of winning at any cost made him a constant entry in the red books of the referees. “For me, winning mattered the most. It gave me a lot of happiness and I didn't mind going very hard (at opponents),” Gunja said.
After playing for Curtorim Gymkhana, Gunja joined Salcete Football Club in 1983 and then went on to play for Dempo Sports Club, Sesa, Goa Sports Club and Salgaocar SC for a season each. In 1991, he donned the colours of Vasco Sports Club and soon got an offer to play in Bombay for Orkay Mills.
“It was a challenge playing in another State. I had to prove that I can play tough, so it was a dream come true for me,” Gunja said. He excelled at Orkay Mills and when Mahindra United were looking for a stopper-back, he quickly lapped up the chance to play for the club in 1993.
For two years, Gunja was the first-choice stopper back there and his stupendous performance earned him a place in the Maharashtra squad for National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy. After a couple of years serving the clubs in Mumbai, Gunja returned home to Goa and started coaching the village clubs in the Goa Football Association (GFA) age-group tournaments.
“I was very happy to give back to the society and coaching the youngsters of my village made me happier,” explained Gunja, who was elevated to the position of the coach by Curtorim Gymkhana in the First Division League. The former defender also coached Raia Sporting Club in the First Division League. Gunja later trained Carmona Sports Club and Ave Maria Athletic and Welfare Club but his crowning moment as a coach came when he led Velsao Pale Sports Club to the GFA Under-18 League title.
Gunja was offered a job in the Sports Authority of Goa and is presently on Covid-19 duty at the Margao Railway Station for thermal temperature checking and other pandemic-related work.
“I am a government servant and I have to obey the instructions; it's my duty to stay strong during these difficult times. We must fight together against this dreaded virus. If we cannot help in these testing days, then our birth as a human being is useless,” Gunja concluded.
