ARJUNA AWARDEE BRUNO COUTINHO
BRUNO COUTINHO ARJUNA AWARDEE FETED BY
VASCO SPORTS CLUB.
Report by: Daniel F. de Souza
Pictures courtesy: Vasco Sports Club
Arlem sponsored Vasco Sports Club, felicitated their team member and
Goa's ace footballer and Arjuna Awardee Shri Bruno Coutinho at the hands of Shri
Manohar Parrikar, The Chief Minister of Goa at an impressive felicitation
function held this evening at the Port City of Vasco. All the speakers
showered praises on Bruno for his excellent achievement. Speaking as the Guest
of Honour, the Hon'ble Sports Minister, Shri Micky Pacheco congratulated the
Arjuna Awardee and paid rich tributes to him. Recalling the words of the former
National football coach Akramov, he said Bruno is made of World Cup Standard. He
said that present Govt., has taken the development of sports in the State of Goa
very seriously which was not done by the earlier successive Governments in
the State. He said the Govt., will be laying full stress for the development of
sports at the School level and all assistance will be rendered. He also
sought the cooperation from the parents for the task ahead.
The Chief Minister in his address said that Bruno receiving the Arjuna Award is
a matter of immense Pride for all in the State where
football has a wide following. 'It is a pride for my Govt., because it was given
at a time when the Govt. ruling at the Centre and in the State of Goa is the
same. Incidentally he said, the first ever Arjuna Award to a Goan Sportsman was
also won during the BJP Govt., at the Centre. He said the Govt will do
everything for the development of Sports, and will come out with a Sports Policy
in three months time. The Sports Minister he said is fully committed to the
development of sports. He stated that the Govt., has decided to reward the
Arjuna Awardee with Rs. 5 lakhs, or offer a suitable plot or help him to buy a
residential place, as per his preference.
Vasco's MLA Shri Rajendra Arlekar who presided over the function also spoke. Mr.
Noel da Lima Leitao, who compered the function and also spoke briefly
said, that the very fact that Bruno has been honoured with the Arjuna Award for
a Team sports like football indicates that he has done something exceptionally
good to deserve this. He has displayed excellent individual prowess in football.
He said Bruno brought terror to the goalkeepers facing him at the international
level whenever he represented his country. Making a passionate and intense
appeal to the Chief Minister, he said "Mr. Chief Minister, I request you not to
get bogged down by the Cash reward of Rs. 5 Lakh. A sportsman's career is short
and I appeal to you to enhance the amount to Rs. 25 lakhs for the Arjuna Awardee,
including the State's first Arjuna Awardee Mr. Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, so that
it would help them in later years." This he said would inspire other sportsmen
to bring more Arjuna Awards to the State. This appeal incidentally made the CM
take note of it, and he was seen jotting a note instantly. Mr. Lima Leitao, also
appealed to the CM to name the two stands at the Fatorda Stadium after the two
Arjuna Awardees. He also thanked the CM for the financial support the Govt.,
gave the club during the last year, which he said is being utilised to train
youngsters to become future stars in sports. ' A Book 'The ABCD Guide To
Football' - A history of Vasco Sports Club
1951-2001 was released at the hands of the Chief Guest. The book priced Rs.
100/- is available at the Club House."
Earlier Shri Vinod Parkhot, the President of Vasco Sports Club welcomed the
dignitaries. Representatives of several Sports Clubs, Individuals, Social
Organisations and Educational Institutions garlanded the Arjuna Awardee. Bruno
was presented a Memento at the hands of the Chief Minister. Bruno in his brief
speech thanked all sports lovers, Coaches and the Govt., for the honour and said
that his hard work and dedication had brought him this Award. The function was
well attended by sports lovers, citizens, students, and others. Shri V.M.
Prabhudesai, Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa, Dr. Susan De Souza,
Director of Youth Affairs were also present. Mario Leitao, Secretary Vasco
Sports Club, proposed the Vote of Thanks.
Thanks to:
Daniel F. de Souza
Vasco Sports Club
Gaspar Almeida