PANJIM: Ex-international football player Prakash Naik, formerly of Dempo Sports Club died following a brief illness at Vasco, Saturday. He was 62 and leaves behing his wife and three daughters. His funeral will take place from his residence at Patrong, Vasco on Sunday at 11 a.m. to Khariwada Crematorium.
Prakash, a State Bakshi Bahaddar Jivabadada Kerkar awardee in football, had a long stint with Dempo as a promising left striker. From Baina Sports Club he moved to Vasco and then Sesa in 1976 before joining Dempo in 1981.
Meanwhile, Shrinivas V Dempo, GFA president and president of Dempo SC, Alberto Colaco, former AIFF and GFA general secretary, Savio Messias, ex-GFA secretary, Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Sancoalcar, coaches Armando Colaco and Vishwas Gaoncar, all of whom played along with Prakash, Lawrence Gomes, Lovino Goes condoled the death of the former football player who was ailing for some time. “He was a very dedicated, hard working forward with a knack for scoring and as such he had the distinction of even having been selected to play for India,” they stated.
Brahmanand recalled that Prakash had played for India in Zambia and Bangkok in King’s Cup. He had played against Vazas Izzo XI of Hungary in Goa at the then Campal Stadium in Panjim, having scored the precious match-winner off a pass from Domnic Soares. Incidentally, it was the Hungarian’s team only defeat on their tour to India.
