For Sporting Clube de Goa, football won’t be the same anymore. Last season, they might have won their fifth title, but they lost their patron Peter Vaz unexpectedly way too early.
There were doubts over the continuity of the club following the demise of the founder, but when you build something with passion and with your whole heart, it’s hard to let go things and it was same with Sporting Clube de Goa. Natty Vaz, the wife of Peter Vaz, took the charge and assured of keeping the Flaming Oranje flag high as always dreamt and wished by her late husband.
“To the community, fans and well wishers of Sporting Clube de Goa. We have been tasked with a great responsibility – to carry forward the legacy of our Patron Peter Vaz. His love, aspiration, and passion for football was known across the country and it is this same passion that burns bright in all of us,” expressed Natty Vaz, the President of Sporting Clube de Goa.
“This year, let’s come together and dedicate this season to our patron as a tribute in his honour. I would like to wish the team and the management the greatest success. Wear your hearts on your sleeves, for Peter and for Goa. Viva Sporting Clube de Goa,” she concluded.
The Flaming Oranje, as they are known across the world, were a side which featured some of the best players, which were personally preferred and picked by Peter Vaz. However, now, in his absence, the club management left no stones unturned.
The team had an outstanding campaign in the GPL last season wherein they were leading the table before the pandemic struck in. Their onfield performance by certain players saw them earn call from National clubs, plying in national leagues.
George Desouza was picked by Odisha FC after his brilliant performance last season, Delton Colaco was roped in by FC Goa development team, Joseph Clemente signed for Churchill Bros for I-League while star winger Stendly Fernandes joined a Bengaluru team on a loan move. The club also lost their senior players –Melroy Fernandes, Cajetan Fernandes and Peter Carvalho –whose contract expired at the club.
While there were few players leaving the club in summer, the management kept themselves busy finding their replacements too. Ozen Silva and Sanij Bugde were signed as the goalkeepers while Kunal Kundaikar was promoted from their development side –Panjim Footballers while the club also promoted few of their youth players including Francisco Fernandes from their U-16 team.
Speaking to Herald, Sporting Clube de Goa coach Savio Vaz stated, “This year it will be an emotional year for us. We will miss our boss Peter Vaz as he was not just a boss but also a person who understood the game and guided us throughout,”
“But with the support from the management we will continue with our former boss’s ideology and philosophy and continue to give our best for the club and win the title,” Vaz concluded.
Sporting Clube de Goa begin their GPL campaign on Wednesday when they take on Vasco SC at Duler Stadium.
Sporting Clube CEO Welvin Menezes stated, “Our aim this year is to continue with the work our patron used to carry on and give our best to keep the club progressing. We have a young squad and we will fight to defend our title this year,” he concluded.
(Taken From O HERALDO – https://www.heraldgoa.in/Sports/Sporting-Clube-de-Goa-to-continue-with-Peter-Vaz%E2%80%99s-vision-/170578 )
