PANJIM, SEPT 19
Former volleyball player, Mathias Da Costa of Jawahar Club of Ponda, passed away following a massive heart attack at Ponda on Sunday evening. He was 65 and leaves behind his wife and a son.
Mathias, a former president of Ponda Municipal Coucnil, was admitted in a Ponda hospital some days back.
Mathias was a popular figure in 70s and 80s, being a lifter to Daniel Rodrigues during the days when Ravi Naik, now the Home Minister, was also part of the then famous Ponda team.
A jovial figure, Mathias was roped in the Goa Volleyball Association (GVA) after his retirement from active volleyball and rose to become general secretary of the general body of the association. He was also the president of the general body of Jawahar Club of Ponda.
Mathias, a businessman, was involved in social work being associated with the Lions.
Meanwhile, Adv Daniel Rodrigues and Louis Pires, former president and general secretary respectively of GVA have condoled the death of once popular and famous volleyball player.
“He was a prominent figure, whose sportsmanship spirit will always be remembered,” said Daniel recalling the days when Jawahar Club was a force to reckon with when the Senior Division Volleyball League was a much sought event at Massano de Amorim court in Panjim. “If I was successful with the smashes it was only because his lifting was good,” he added.
“Mathias was a go-getter, both on and off the field of play, whose passion for volleyball knew no bounds,” remarked Louis Pires. “Despite his somewhat short stature, Mathias made up for all that with neat second passes and defensive play, which earned him the admiration from the volleyball fans,” Lulu stated.
Kishor Narvekar, GVA vice-president, described Mathias as a dedicated and devoted volleyball player. “Often he was the one who would galvanise his colleagues into action and his mannerism was that of a perfect gentleman,” said Kishor.
Zogusso Naik of Merces, Ajit Naik (chairman, IDC), former volleyball players, Fortunato Braganza, Suhas Nirlikar, Ramesh Lotlikar (coach), Ladislau Gonsalves (coach) also condoled the death of Mathias.
