Norman Noronha
– a Goan with a dream…!
By Gasper
Crasto
All
throughout history, Goans are known to have ventured out to different parts of
the globe in search of new prospects.
Prominent Goans living abroad have excelled outstandingly in various fields with their dedication and hard work. In Kuwait, Goan individuals have long made a mark as leaders in their own right. The most important thing is that Goans have retained their emotional, cultural and spiritual links with Goa.
In this article, we trace the life of Norman Noronha - a Goan in Kuwait, a Goan with a dream. 24th June 2013 marks a new landmark in Norman’s life as he celebrates his 50th year!
Prominent Goans living abroad have excelled outstandingly in various fields with their dedication and hard work. In Kuwait, Goan individuals have long made a mark as leaders in their own right. The most important thing is that Goans have retained their emotional, cultural and spiritual links with Goa.
In this article, we trace the life of Norman Noronha - a Goan in Kuwait, a Goan with a dream. 24th June 2013 marks a new landmark in Norman’s life as he celebrates his 50th year!
Norman on a trip to Oman in 2007
Norman Noronha, hails
from Colmorrod ward in Navelim, Goa, famous for producing some of the finest footballers
who have represented Goa and played at International level.
Love
for Football
Norman has
represented Rosary High School, Navelim at Under-16 & 19 tournaments,
represented Shree Damodars College of Commerce & Economics, Margao - Goa in
Football for 5 years. He is a gold medalist at Inter-collegiate football
tournaments of Mumbai University, Mumbai.
Norman also played for his village clubs CRSC, Enfermos, Navelim
Sporting, etc, in Inter-Village tournaments all over Goa.
In Kuwait, Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) runs
football for the expatriates in Kuwait. Players from all over India are
eligible to participate in football tournaments under KIFF. Most of the teams
are from Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, etc.
Many famous
ex-players who have represented Goa and India have played in Kuwait, with some
young stars heading to the Oil rich country every year. Some of the most prominent players to have
played in Kuwait are Joseph Machado, ex-Dempo
and East Bengal; Joseph Salemao,
ex-Mafatlal; Anthony Rebello, ex-Salgoancars; Sarto Baptisa,
ex-Salgoancars; Tiago Fernandes,
ex-Dempo-Salgaocars; Gasper Crasto -ex-Salgoancars; Britto Pereria, ex-Vasco
Sports Club; Agnello Miranda, ex-Dempos;
Avelino Dias, Goa Under-21 National;
Alvaro Dias, ex-Churchill Brothers.
While in Kuwait,
Norman played as a rearguard defender for United Goans Centre and his village
team Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) on the famous Sour grounds of Kuwait till 1995.
His combination alongside Alcantra Barretto (ex-Salgaocars), Albin (Sesa Goa),
etc, was most fearsome at that time.
Norman left active participation in football
following a lethal knee injury and an ensuing knee operation.
After football,
Norman has been very lively in management activities of KIFF. He was KIFF
Sports Secretary during the Kuwait visit of dynamic GFA administrator and then
Hon. General Secretary of All India Football Federation Mr. Albert Colaco.
Norman is one of the
founder members of one of the most popular clubs in Kuwait - Navelim Youth Centre, which was formed in 1987
under the presidentship of Mr. Joseph Salema.
Since the inception of the Navelim, Norman has held
various positions for the club in the capacity of Vice President, General
Secretary, Asst. Treasurer, Auditor, Advisor, etc, and continues to do so with
great enthusiasm.
Norman is working for Lloyd's Register EMEA, Kuwait, as an Administrator. He has travelled extensively, visiting most of the Middle-East Gulf countries.
Advice
to Footballers and Writers
Norman says, “My
advice to footballers in Kuwait, where most are playing for leisure, is that, players should
play in the true spirit to enjoy the game. As for writers, more people should
come forward to write in our own mother tongue Konkani.”
Writing
Skills
Right from a very
young age, Norman has been blessed with profound writing skills. He has written
a number of Konkani articles and short stories which are published in various magazines and newspapers. His penchant of writing short stories has improved
since 2010 when his first story ‘Mhojea Bhurgeaponnacho Ugddass’ was published.
Till date, Norman has
a collection of 13 stories, 3 of the best ones are published in the Goan
Review magazine published from Mumbai. His story ‘Festacho Dis’ is very popular among readers. Most of his works are archived in his blog: http://normannoronha.blogspot.com/
“Someday, I intend to
publish a book - a collection of my stories,” reveals the enthusiastic writer.
Norman on his wedding day with his mother and late father
Norman with daughter Marissa and wife Tase
Life
in Kuwait:
Norman is greatly
indebted to the country of Kuwait. In his own words, he says, “What I could not
achieve or think of achieving in Goa, I have accomplished working in Kuwait." He feels life, both in Kuwait and Goa, is susegad. "However, there is a lack of unity
among Goans which is a major concern for every generation.”
Source
of Inspiration
Norman says he is
highly indebted to his brother-in-law late Mr. Joe Coutinho who was a source of
inspiration and great help when he was young.
Memorable
Moment in Life:
“My most memorable
moment in life remains my graduation day. It was highly distinctive for any
middle-class person of my time to be a graduate in the family.”
Greatest
Loss in Life:
“The untimely death
of my nephew Elias Coutinho at a young age will personally remain a great loss
in my life.”
Best
Friend in Life:
“Cyril Fernandes
(Ex-President – Goa Shipyard Employees Union), is my close friend for the last
25 years.”
Life
with Family:
Norman married Tase
Crasto in 1994 and has a daughter (Marissa) as tall as him. The family is
happily living in Kuwait.
Future
Plans:
“To settle down in
Goa, and try my hand at mechanized farming.”
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