ARMSTRONG VAZ
Terence Carvalho is a global Goenkar in every sense of the term. Based in Australia, he travels to different parts of the world to play veterans' hockey. One such hockey stop brought him to Goa recently.
This unique international hockey fiesta, played partly under floodlights, was the brainchild of Terence and the Carvalho family spread across the UK and Australia.
And, it was Terence who made the Edwin Carvalho Memorial (six-a-side) Hockey Fiesta happen over two days at the Peddem Sports Complex, in Mapusa.
HOW IT CAME TO BE
Having played veterans hockey in Australia and Malaysia over the years, the idea of hosting something similar in Goa took root in his mind.
“The tournament was held in memory of my father Edwin Carvalho, who encouraged the sport in his days in Bombay (now Mumbai), and my brother-in-law Mario D’Souza,” said Terence.
The hockey fiesta featured eight veteran teams – Melbourne Knights and Melbourne Raptors from Australia; Sticks and Soros from the UAE; Kajang Panthers from Malaysia; and four Goan teams.
The tournament was held in memory of my father Edwin Carvalho, who encouraged the sport in his days in Bombay (now Mumbai), and my brother-in-law Mario D’Souza
Terence Carvalho
Terence has a deep attachment to the land where he spent most of his summer holidays, as he grew up studying in Don Bosco High School at Matunga, Mumbai. He hasn’t forgotten his roots and keeps a connection with the land, people and all the good things that Goans crave when they are in distant lands.
Every three to four months, he comes to Goa, not for hockey, but due to his love for his motherland, and he is the unofficial brand ambassador for Goa in Australia.
BITTEN BY THE HOCKEY BUG
Terence, who took to the field with one of the two teams from Down Under, began his journey in hockey at school, and continued it through college at Khalsa College Mumbai, where he played football, too.
“Back in Kuwait, I did not get a chance to play hockey. But in Australia, I resumed my hockey practice, and there has been no stopping since then,” he said.
During the Edwin Carvalho Memorial Hockey Fiesta, the eight teams were distributed into two pools of four teams each. Goa Reds topped pool A with 3 wins, while the Raptors edged out the Sticks and Soros to third position on a goal difference.
In pool B, Goa Blue also won all its league matches to go to the top whilst the Knights edged out the Panthers.
The semi-finals were closely fought encounters with the Goa teams defeating the two Melbourne outfits. The final was a pulsating battle which finished with both teams locked 2-2 at full-time.
Goa Blue finally emerged winners by the narrowest of margins with their goalie, Conan Fernandes, bringing off two spectacular saves.
Goalkeeper Nilesh Poro impressed in goal for the Reds. Sherwin D'Souza of Goa Blue won the highest scorer trophy with 11 goals, while Karl Gomes of Goa Red finished with ten.
BEYOND HOCKEY
Seeking to give his Australian and Malaysian friends a sample of the good things Goa is known for, he and other members of his family took the visitors on a site seeing expedition and culinary journey.
“I took them around and showed them what Goa has to offer its guests in terms of beautiful beaches, majestic churches, beautiful temples and Goan food,” said Terence, who traces his roots to Dona Paula.
“I love Goa and the good things I have enjoyed in the past, and I make it a point to tell that to my Australian and Malaysian friends. Here was a chance to show them what it was in the real sense of the term,” said Terence, who worked in Kuwait for 20 years, and has been based in Australia for 22 years.
All the leisure activities were curated and planned by Terence, in association with his family members based in Australia and the UK, as well as logistics help from friends and well-wishers based in Goa.
Seeking to give his Australian and Malaysian friends a sample of the good things Goa is known for, he and other members of his family took the visitors on a site seeing expedition and culinary journey.
“The noteworthy feature was the involvement of the family in all aspects of the tournament, from participation to organising the event – to the extent of picking up litter and keeping the pitch and surrounding areas clean,” Terence added.
The tournament was organised in association with Goans Hockey, and local logistical assistance was provided by Goa Mavericks Sports Club. Terence's sister, Audrey Radhakrishnan, proposed an emotional vote of thanks, and along with Deborah distributed the prizes.
Olympians Joaquim Carvalho and Merwyn Fernandez were the guests of honour. They distributed the trophies.