The happy faces, positive energy and vibes are visible at the Dempo Sporting Arena in Guirim. From the beginners’ batch that has kids as young as 6 to the more skilled players between 10 to 15 years of age, the energy is crackling. At the grounds, I watch, as the ball is dribbled past the defenders, up to the keeper and with a deft pass, a little tyke shoots it right into the net. “Goal!” he screams doing a Ronaldo impression with his team-mates joining in for a huddle. The coaches are just as jubilant, egging them on. “It’s important to have coaches who are enthusiastic and have the right attitude,” says 26 year old Ricardo and adds. “As a kid, I always thought we didn’t have the basics of passing, shielding, receiving and ball control taught to us the right way and that is so important. We have talented players in Goa but they lack exposure, guidance and opportunity.” Stating his vision for the academy, he declares, “I want to give every kid the best shot at being the best player.”
Ricardo speaks from experience. Growing up in a sporting family, the bar was set high, especially with a father like Eugenio Cardozo, an award winning football goalkeeper himself and sister, Steffi Cardozo – a national and international level athlete who has lost count of the number of gold medals she has amassed in Shot put. Ricardo shares, “My dad never really wanted me to pursue sports as a profession. He always thought it was a lot of hard work with too many external factors beyond your control.” What changed the dice however was when his father realised that perhaps there was merit in training his own son who seemed so keen. He narrates, “Once he decided to train me, my dad went all out. Our backyard was converted into my training zone. He bought nets to cover the coconut trees and that was my goal keeping area. He created a diving pit with sand, hay and also placed a mattress to cushion my fall.” He gratefully admits, “My dad and my sister are my biggest sporting inspirations.”
Starting as a young player at the Goa United Academy in Calangute, Ricardo went on to play with Dempo Under 14 and trained with the Dempo Senior Team as a 14 year old. Selected amongst thousands of players at the trials of the Tata Football Academy (TFA), at 17 he went on to be part of Bengaluru FC that won the Indian Super League (ISL) in their maiden entry. He was then also called for the India Under-21 National Camp and was part of the winning team at Lusofonia Games 2014, which was held in Goa. Sharing an easy camaraderie and learning from illustrious players like Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and John Johnson, he says, “I learnt professionalism being part of Bengaluru FC. It was my first introduction to a well managed football club in India.” From TFA, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai FC, Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan AC, he has come a long way, “It’s been a rewarding journey with fantastic opportunities; playing in the first Super Cup organised by the All India Football Federation with the top tier teams of the I-League and Indian Super League to being scouted by Mohun Bagan, I grabbed all the opportunities that came my way,” adds a wistful Ricardo.
Led by a strong faith in God, Ricardo is almost Messi-like in his religious belief and acknowledges ‘the hand of God’ in making his dream a reality. With what started as an initial feeling that he had it in him to be a coach, Ricardo went on to act on it to launch Super 30 on Independence Day, this year. He sheepishly adds, “I didn’t tell my dad about my plan till I had it all in place.” Not relying on experience alone, Ricardo completed the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Grassroots Courses in Coaching and obtained the necessary licences and certifications. He put into place his team of trained coaches, a physiotherapist, a coordinator and is ably supported by his dad, Eugenio as the goalkeeping coach.
Wanting to create a distinctively different approach to training, Ricardo emphasises, “A professional attitude is most important. The team reports to work every morning by 9.30 a.m and we create detailed plans for the next session with reviews of the earlier one. Evenings are action packed with on ground coaching.” The academy also focuses on nutrition, player development and includes Target Training and Tyre Training for coordination and balance besides undertaking tests for endurance, speed and agility.
Ricardo always had a clear intention of giving back to his own village. With the help of Blaize Fernandes, the Candolim Sarpanch and backed by Calangute MLA and Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo, the Candolim Centre has more than 100 kids who are completely sponsored by the village panchayat. Ricardo suggests, “Panchayats of other villages should take a cue from this. Candolim is seeing a resurgence in football like never before.” At the Guirim centre, 14 children who need financial help are supported by the Academy. “As a footballer, it gives me immense joy to be able to support and encourage these talented kids,” he says with delight.
Expectedly, Ricardo evangelises the massive benefits of instilling a love for sports in children. He demonstrates with an example saying, “At Super 30, kids come in from different stratas but when they play together, Football unites them. The spirit of trust, teamwork and discipline is precious.” Buzzing with ideas including having guest coach appearances to holding regular tournaments, Super 30 has begun on the right footing and has set the ball rolling. May it be a game changer.
