PANJIM: At a star-studded ceremony, former footballer Anthony Rebello officially joined Goa Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday in Curtorim.
He joined the party in the presence of Manoj Tiwary, the West Bengal Minister of State (MoS) for Sports and Youth Affairs (WB) and TMC’s Lok Sabha MP Prasun Banerjee.
Known as ‘India’s most feared’ on the field during the peak of his career, Rebello, said it is Mamata Banerjee’s strength to defeat BJP, her commitment towards development and her modest disposition that made him join Goa TMC. His immediate plan as Goa TMC leader is to provide world class sportsmen from Goa by providing them with the necessary infrastructure, training and equipment.
“It is a privilege and honour to be in politics and especially in All India TMC (AITC). Mamata Didi has given me an opportunity in politics and sports. Today, we have inducted a great footballer, India has witnessed. We all know and are sure that a lot of people will join AITC soon. We have to protect Goans and more importantly India,” said Tiwary.
“There is a long list of things, BJP have destroyed in India. As we can see how they managed the COVID situation and how migrant workers struggled to go back to their hometown. Migrant workers who walked and slept on the track died after being run over by the train,” he added.
We come from a sports background. See the development of sports in Goa. Goan players in cricket have not got proper recognition and platform. Everyone is talented but we have to provide proper infrastructure. It is a great opportunity for all of us to bring about a change. We have to come forward to make that change,” Tiwary added.
“We need change. We all saw how we defeated the BJP in Bengal. People who think we can’t win, are living in a fool’s paradise,” said Tiwary.
Rebello thanked MP Prasun for his role in facilitating his entry into the party and further elaborated why he joined TMC.
“There is no strong opposition for BJP in Goa. Mamata Didi is the only leader fighting against the anti-people party (BJP). I am joining the AITC to fight for the people of Goa and save them from communal forces. Support me and I am always there,” he said.
“There is no high command culture in AITC Goa, unlike the BJP. The Goa AITC is for the people of Goa, by the people of Goa. People in Goa are fed up with the BJP government. They want a change. We all want a change. Sports infrastructure will be improved in Goa and soon players will get the platform to practice and shine on the national stage,” Rebello added.
