Goan Footballer Accorded Warm Farewell

By Gasper Crasto; Photograph by Simon Dias

Kuwait:Well-knownGoanfootballer 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 wardof 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 underKIFF. 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.

Cruzedio was honored by Navelim members with a symbolic memento in recognition for his immense contribution towards the club and Indian football in general.

Speaking on the occasion, Navelim President Agnello A.S. Fernandes showered the star with tributes saying, “Cruzedio hasserved the club with marked distinction, he will be remembered as much for his distinguishedcharacter as for his football...”

The members in their speeches recollectedCruzedio’simmense goal-scoring abilitythat helpedNavelim rise to unsurpassed heights. InCruzedio’s sway, Navelimwon 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.

Navelimhave 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 football tournament in Bahrain. That apart, Cruzediotravelled 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 MrsOlinda said a special prayer for Cruz. Navelim Advisor Norman Noronha praised Cruzedio for his never-say-die spiritand 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. MrsTase 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 EusebioFernandes along-with another Navelimstar Britto Pereira presented a club jersey to Cruzedio as a souvenir while Mrs Neeta wished the player a great family-life ahead. 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.

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.

One of the most soft-spoken persons, Cruz is familiar in football circlesas 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 andwill utilize my God-given talents for a better world...”  

Cruzediowill leave Kuwait shortly, to be with his wife Elva and sonsCaelan, Cade and Clydein the United Kingdom. 

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