Navelim President Agnello A.S. Fernandes, flanked by members, presenting a symbolic memento to Cruzedio: Photograph by Simon Dias
Kuwait 17 Sept 2013: Well-known Goan
footballer in Kuwait – Cruzedio Rodrigues was extended a warm farewell by
Navelim Youth Centre at a function held at Sharq, recently.
Cruz,
as he is fondly known, hails from Sirvodem, a ward of Navelim village having a rich history of football and known to have
produced players who have progressed to fame on the football field and into
professional careers. The
diminutive star has been playing as a 'striker' in Kuwait since 1994. His
record of straight double-hattrick in a match still remains unmatched. In
one of the KIFF seasons Cruzedio scored 22 goals to top the scorers list.
Cruz
won an unprecedented 7 ‘Top-Scorer-of-the-Season’ awards under KIFF. He was
awarded with a gold coin (5 times), a trophy once and a Kuwait-Goa-Kuwait air-ticket
on another occasion for his achievements.
An
average of 16 teams are registered with
KIFF each year with over 300 listed players, making it the largest
Indian expatriate football federation in the world.
Felicitation & Honors
Cruzedio was honored by Navelim members with a symbolic memento
in recognition for his immense contribution towards the club and Indian
football in general. In the past, the popular player was officially felicitated by the club at one of Navelim's grand Nite O Roses.
Speaking on the occasion, Navelim President Agnello A.S.
Fernandes showered the star with tributes saying, “Cruzedio has served the club
with marked distinction, he will be remembered as much for his distinguished character
as for his football...”
The members in
their speeches recollected Cruzedio’s immense goal-scoring ability that helped
Navelim rise to unsurpassed heights. In Cruzedio’s sway, Navelim won
every trophy at stake under Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF), and in
the vicinity, notably the 3 Silver jubilee trophies of Rising Stars, Goa
Maroons and U.G Strikers.
Compliments by Colleagues
Navelim
have been KIFF League Champions 7 times (including champions in 2013) besides
being runners-up 3 times. Navelim also won the Indo-African Cup, Indo-Nepal Cup, and most recently won the International YGC International Football Tournament in Bahrain. That
apart, Cruzedio travelled to Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, etc, with the Navelim team
winning many other trophies including innumerable man-of-the-match and best player
awards.
Navelim
P.R.O Simon Dias complimented on the achievements of the little star while Mrs
Olinda said a special prayer for Cruz. Navelim
Advisor Norman Noronha praised Cruzedio for his never-say-die spirit and for gaining
respect from fans and opponents alike while on the football-field. Allan
Fernandes reminded how he himself fell in love with the game and became a
football fan after watching Cruzedio’s goal-scoring feats. Mrs Tase recalled
the days when she first saw Cruzedio playing back in 1995 and how the Navelim
slogan ‘Come-on Cruz’ came into creation and became synonymous with Goan
football fans.
Senior
club member Eusebio Fernandes along-with another Navelim star Britto Pereira
presented a club jersey to Cruzedio as a souvenir while Mrs Neeta wished the
player a great family-life ahead. Esparansa and Gasper Crasto sang a special
hymn on the occassion. Former Navelim goal-keeper Avelino Dias conveyed a special message from
Goa.
Cruzedio’s
mother, who was present on the ocassion, thanked Navelim for specially
arranging the farewell.
About Cruzedio
Cuzedio
started playing football at a young age in Goa playing Third Division Football
for United Club of Telaulim – Navelim, helping the club to qualify for the
Second Division. Later, from 1991-92 to 1992-93, he played for
Salcete Football Club. He also played in major Inter-village tournaments for
clubs like Navelim Sporting, Mandopa Sporting and Sirvodem Youth Club
registered with Goan Football Association.
Cruzedio,
who first set foot in Kuwait in the year 1994, has opted to leave Kuwait for
greener pastures in Europe after acquiring his Portuguese passport. He worked
for Al-Sayer Toyota Group of Companies for over 12 years, his last working day in the company being 16th Sept 2013.
One
of the most soft-spoken persons, Cruz is familiar in football circles as a pious
persons. Apart from playing football, his hobbies include reading spiritual
books and listening to devotional songs.
Cruzedio's
advice to budding footballers is to keep away from alcohol and drugs, and to
believe in prayers. The mercurial ‘striker’ said he will continue playing
football as long as he can.
In his emotional farewell speech, Cruzedio said, “God has a
plan for each one, I follow the path and purpose of my life and will utilize my
God-given talents for a better world...”
:::The above NEWS appeared in Kuwait's Arab Times (Page 51) dated 17 Sept 2013. Also published in Indians in Kuwait, Frontliners Kuwait, Mangalorean.com, Arab Times online, goa-world.com's Gulf Goans groups, etc:::