In Lavinio’s death, GFA has lost a strong pillar: Alemao

Panaji:

Goan football

lost its pillar, notably in the north, with the death of

Goa Football Association

(

GFA

) vice president

Lavinio Rebello

late on Saturday.

Rebello served GFA for almost two decades in various capacities. From a Bardez zone executive committee member in 2002, he rose to become the treasurer and then vice-president for multiple terms.

Just like in football, Rebello, 54, was on course to make a comeback of his own after battling Covid-19 for the last 15 days in three hospitals. Just when things seemed fine, his health deteriorated all of a sudden last night.

He is survived by his mother, who he often liked to speak about, and two sisters. The funeral was held at St Michael’s Church, Anjuna, on Sunday.

At the village level,

Rebello

served as a sarpanch and was the current panch member of Anjuna-Caissua panchayat.

Rebello’s contribution to Goan football has been immense.

“Very saddened and shocked by the sad demise of my dear friend Lavinio Rebello. We lost a strong pillar of GFA. My condolences to his family,” said GFA president Churchill Alemao.

Rebello had turned 54 last month and was overseeing the conduct of the

Goa Professional League

at Duler Football Stadium in Mapusa. It was not uncommon to see him pick up the microphone and make announcements. He always remained humble.

Rebello had a major influence in north Goa and played crucial roles during elections. His handpicked men almost always won and his backing was important for any president hopeful of wining votes, particularly in Bardez.

He was also vociferous when fighting for a good cause. Whether it was better facilities for players or struggling inter-village clubs, he was in the forefront.

The physical education teacher at St Mary’s HS, Mapusa touched the lives of many youngsters, many of whom took to social media platforms to express their gratitude.

“Saddened to hear about the passing away of GFA Vice-President Mr Lavinio Rebello. Your contribution to Goan football will be fondly remembered. I pray for his family to have strength in this hour of grief. May his soul Rest in peace,” Mapusa MLA Joshua De Souza said in a tweet.

Rebello’s contribution to football went beyond the state’s boundaries. He was deputy chairman of the

All India Football Federation

’s futsal and beach football committee and planned to give futsal a boost by conducting courses and tournaments, until Covid-19 cases surged.

Rebello was instrumental in getting sponsorships for the Goa Women’s League, First Division League and kept himself busy at the stadium when GFA got an artificial turf for the first time at Duler.

Football associations across the country condoled Rebello’s demise. Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Sikkim, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, Daman and Karnataka have all remembered his contribution.

The Goa Olympic Association, Goa Table Tennis Association, Goa Squash Association, Goa Badminton Association, Goa Volleyball Association, Goa Basketball Association and Goa Boxing Association sent messages of its own.

“It’s hard to find people like Lavinio who remained committed to Goan football and worked selflessly for many years,” said Goa’s first Arjuna Award winner and Goa Football Development Council chairman Brahmanand Shankhwalkar. “He was GFDC member and had a big role to play. Whenever we have our meetings or watch a match at Duler, it won’t be the same. Lavinio will be missed.”