Levino Dias Goa's most successful youth development coach

 

Levino Dias Goa's most successful youth development coach

 

Levino Dias is one of the Goa's most successful youth development coach till date. Sadly, others who had taken over from him have not been able to come to a sniffing close to the record and have seldom won the title for Goa in the sub-juniors.

HUMBLE, AGGRESSIVE and attentive to detail is one of the virtues that one would associate with the Goa's most successful youth development coach till date, Levino Dias. Three winners' titles, an equal number of runners-up and another two third place finishes in the sub junior championship speaks volume of the man who made Goa a force to reckon with on the football field in the sub-juniors.

Sadly, with the transition of time, others who had taken over from him have not been able to come to a sniffing close to the record and have seldom won the title for Goa in the sub-juniors. The blame game of lack of success revolves from cheating and fielding of overage players to substandard facilities provided for Goan players taking part in tournament in other states

The diminutive south Goa based coach, hailing from Cuncolim village, started his journey into football as angry young man in the mid field and with a tradition of having elder brothers addicted and infected with soccer bug it was, but natural that the young one would follow in their footsteps.

The football journey first flowered not in the rice fields of Cuncolim, but far way in Karnataka, Belgaum district where he was studying. There was no looking back. Holidays were the occasion he longed for to display his wares before his friends’ relatives and admirers in Goa. The admirers who have grown with every passing game in his village.

The young talent passed into the hands of Late Father Chico or Pri Chico, as he was fondly called by his students and it was Academica that the stellar influence of Pri Chico molded Levino further as a footballer.

The experience was worth it for Levino, as he also carried a lot of positive things from Father Chico, which he still fondly recollects as if it was yesterday that the worlds of Fr Chico rang in his ears. He tries to pass on the game finer points to young kids and grownups.

From Academica to Panvel Sports Club, where he was one of the seniors who took the legendary goalkeeper Brahmanand Shanwalkar, who went to captain the Indian squad, under his wings.

Levino during his playing days formed a terrific pair along with Joao D'Mello and the two were formidable partnership.

Sportstar Sports Conclave in Goa: Levino Dias named Hero Unsung Champion

 

After retiring as a player, Levino immediately took up coaching. While he coached various teams in the Goa First Division, his forte was coaching young players. Levino coached the Goa State team for seven years.

 

Former India footballer Levino Dias was named Sportstar Hero Unsung Champion at the Focus Goa Sportstar Conclave on Friday. Honourable Sports Minister of Goa, Shri Govind Gaude, gave the award to Levino.

 

Levino was a formidable midfielder who represented Goa in the National Championship for the Santosh Trophy. He played for various clubs in the Goa First Division, which was the top football league in the state at that time. However, Levino could not pursue football professionally because he was a full-time government employee.

 

After retiring as a player, Levino immediately took up coaching. While he coached various teams in the Goa First Division, his forte was coaching young players. Levino coached the Goa State team for seven years.

 

Levino was also one of the pioneers in introducing and promoting women’s football in Goa. He started the AVC (Assolna, Velim, and Cuncolim) Eves football team and introduced girls from these villages to the beautiful game.

 

After he retired from the government service (Electricity Department), Levino spent time coaching youth from his village schools and clubs. Even a few years back, Levino was a regular at the Cuncolim ground, taking an active part in coaching local youth.

Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University, two delegates from Goa attended the meet in Germany

 

BY Armstrong Vaz

 

When like-minded people come together amazing things happen, wrote Goa-born German-based Professor Ravi Xavier Fernandes on his LinkedIn page.

 

He was referring to the Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers, a two-day workshop held at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Braunschweig, Germany recently.

 

The Indo-German Bilateral Workshop on Future Energy Carriers: Advancing Bio-circular Economy for Clean Energy saw delegates from both India and German deliberate on various topics centered around Future Energy, Circular Economy, Clean Energy and Circular Bioeconomy.

 

For the unknown Circular Bioeconomy is an economy powered by nature. It is a new economic model that emphasizes the use of renewable natural capital and focuses on minimizing waste, replacing the wide range of non-renewable, fossil-based products currently in use.

 

“The willingness and motivation to work together through excellent ideas and diverse strengths and expertise made this Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers a big success,” said Ravi, an alumnus of Chowgule College Margao and Goa university, who traces his roots to Velim village.

 

The workshop, coordinated by Prof. Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Germany and Dr Sanjukta Subudhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and joint research initiatives between experts from both countries.

 

PTB, Germany for which Prof Ravi works is the National Metrology Institute of Germany with scientific and technical service tasks. PTB measures with the highest accuracy and reliability – metrology as the core competence. PTB stands for progress and reliability in metrology for the benefit of society, trade and industry, and science.

 

“Thanks a lot, dear delegates from India and Germany for your very active participation and lively discussions. This was the first of its kind IGSTC (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre) Workshop with Representatives from Academia, Industry, Research Institutions, Government Officials sitting on one table to discuss one of the most important topics on Sustainability. Looking forward to all our future bilateral and multilateral interdisciplinary collaborations,” added Prof Ravi.

 

The workshop topics included: Biofuel Production Technologies, Green Hydrogen Generation, Circular Economy Approaches, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment, Regulation, Codes and Standards, Business Models and Commercialization.

 

And there was more Goan connect to the workshop with Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along with Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University being the two delegates from Goa who attended the meet in Germany.

 

Dr. Levinson presentation centered around topic of “Unlocking Clean Energy: Harnessing Biomethanation for A Sustainable Bio-Circular Economy”

 

He made a strong pitch for Biomethanation as a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation and waste management and which stands at the forefront of sustainable waste-to-energy solutions, offering a pathway towards resource recovery and environmental stewardship.

 

He also favoured joint research in biomethanation technology.

 

“There is a need for more research in advancing biomethanation technology, looking forward to the vision for collaboration between India and Germany in advancing biomethanation technology, taking into account the strengths and expertise that each country brings to the table he envisaged the need for joint research in the field,” he said in his presentation.

 

Levinson also said that research work should center around odour control in biomethanation plants.

 

“Research interventions with respect to emerging technologies in odour management and integration of solid waste and sewage treatment plant and extraction of Methane gas,” are the other areas which need fine tuning, he said.

 

Taking a futuristic view of the emerging alternative fuels Levinson made a strong pitch on the need for future collaboration.

 

“Analysis of the future outlook for bio methanation technology and considering factors such as technological advancements, policy support, and market demand are some of the key areas where the focus of future research,” he said.

 

He also added that there should be identification of key requirements and challenges for scaling up biomethanation infrastructure, including investment, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness.

 

“Proposals for collaborative initiatives such as joint research projects, knowledge exchange programs and solutions through advance and cutting-edge technologies for problems faced currently to accelerate the adoption of bio methanation technology on a global scale,” were some steps he suggested in his talk, while urging delegates from Germany to visit Goa and make a field trip to the facilities and have a closer look at working of the solid waste management plants managed by

Goa Waste Management Corporation.

 

The other delegate from Goa Pranay was delighted that he was part of the brainstorming workshop.

 

His presentation centered around sustainability and climate change and the use of Nanomaterials to reduce carbon footprint.

 

“My presentation was about using Nanomaterials derived from waste to produce biofuels which can then be used to improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. I also presented how Catalytically CO2 can be converted to industrially important platform chemicals, to address global warming and climate change,” said the Goa University professor.

 

“This was one of the best bilateral research meetings that I attended. Intense and enlightening research discussions among some of the best Indo-German research groups. I am glad that I could attend and contribute to the success of this meet, even in a small way,” Pranay said.

 

“Hats off to Prof Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Sumit Agarwal and TERI and IGSTC for creating an excellent platform, successful coordination and organization,” he added. 

 

Cuncolim bamboo artisans carrying on the trade against all odds

 

Cuncolim bamboo artisans carrying on the trade against all odds

By Armstrong Vaz

The art of making baskets from bamboo and cane is dwindling with every passing day in Goa. There are just a handful of artisans remaining in some villages who mainly make baskets from cane.

The Jadhav’s and Mane’s of Cuncolim are the select few who can be seen selling bamboo baskets by the road side in Cuncolim town in Salcete. They live close to the road national Highway No.66 commonly referred to as NH 66 (erstwhile NH-17 and a part of NH-47).

Even though there is a good market for these products, there are not many artisans or basket weavers in Goa. Goan artisans make a variety of baskets of all shapes and sizes. Mostly made of cane and bamboo, these baskets are in huge demand.

Traditionally, the Mhar community makes bamboo products that are used by people for functional purposes in various walks of life. Bamboo trees availability is become scare in Goa with every passing day added to the social stigma of being called a Mhar.

“Mhars, today is a scheduled tribe, which sacrificed buffaloes to propitiate spirits of their ancestorsand their demon deities. They ate the flesh, even bones, hence regarded ‘untouchable’ –just as cobblers, who worked on the hides of cattle,” wrote researcher Valmiki Faleiro.

Yes, the tag of Mhars hurts them admits Vilas Jadhav.

“We are not Mhars from Goa we came from Maharashtra’s Sangli district and made Goa our home some 40 to 50 years back,” says Vilas, who was born and brought up in Cuncolim.
The Mhars tag hurts us, but we are not concerned, we have to go about our everyday life and earn our living and we earn our living honorably by performing at wedding and carrying on the bamboo craft against all odds,” he added.

To craft the bamboo, the craftsmen, soak the bamboo for two or three days in sea water for seasoning, it is then sun-dried. When completely dry it is segmented. The outermost layer of the bamboo or skin is removed completely. The pith inside is removed and used as fuel. The bamboo is then cut into strips. These strips are further cut into splits that are used for weaving the basket. The baskets are made only with the inner part. The tools used are basic and include the Koyto-large knife and the Sun or small blunt knife. To colour the splits, chemical colours are boiled in water, and the strips are left in this solution for half an hour and dried.

A huge range of utility products like baskets, boxes, flower vases, winnowing trays, chicken baskets, grain baskets, partitions, fans, and mats are made from bamboo strips in Goa.

Some of the bamboo baskets they make are Konni or Fish basket, Kurponn or rice strainer, Kanyo or mat placed below the dantem (stone grinder), Ervond or large cane basket, Samli or cane pouch, Dhali or small basket, Aino or fan, Sup (in the middle) or alternative way fan, Vorli or container to wash rice and Patto or mat besides several other items.

The Jadhav and Mane families live in eight houses in Milleavaddo Cuncolim and settled in Cuncolim some 50 years back from Satara region. Earlier they used to stay in huts but now are staying in laterite stone houses and are voters of the region.

The Jadhav’s and Mane’s have two bands that performs at the Hindu weddings, Palkis, and Divjas and they charge Rupees 30,000 for a day’s performance.

 

Good response for Table Tennis camp in Cuncolim organized by MB United Sports and Cultural Cub Murida

 

Good response for Table Tennis camp in Cuncolim organized by MB United Sports and Cultural Cub Murida

Cuncolim: More than fifty boys and girls drawn from various schools of Cuncolim, Assolna and Velim are taking part in the MB United Sports and Cultural Cub Murida Cuncolim Summer coaching Camp for Table Tennis informed officials of the club.

Students from St Xavier Velim, Regina Martyrium HS Assolna, Maria Bambina Convent Cuncolim, St Anthony HS Veroda and Infant Jesus HS Cuncolim are taking part in the camp.

The camp is supported by Goa Table Tennis association and South Goa District Table Tennis council who have deputed coaches for the camp.

Oscar Martins, who is one of the organizers of the camp informed that from 7am to 8.30am, the boys training takes place followed by the girls from 8.30am to 10am.

The following coaches have been deployed at the camp by South Goa District Table Tennis Council: Bickey Maibram and Vaikham Tomboiba Singh (both from Manipur) besides Miten Diley from Arunachal Pradesh and Premchand Heeralal Chauhan from Daman.

Oscar informed that out of the 22 boys and 26 girls attending the camp, 10 boys and an equal number of girls will be shortlisted for the round the year training informed Oscar.

“Goa Table Tennis association and South Goa District Table Tennis council has made our club premises the center for Table Tennis coaching from this camp best 10 boys and girls will be selected and they will be training throughout the year, thrice a week from 3.30pm to 6pm,” informed Oscar.