PANJIM: The captain of the Panvel’s 1974 winning team was Arjuna award winner Brahmanand Sankhwalkar.
As he was warming up for the final on April 6, 1974, some of the police who were guarding the Bandodkar Gold trophy, told him to touch the trophy. His reply was: “I have prayed to God and I am sure God will help me hold the trophy after the final.”
Not only did Panvel SC beat one of the top teams, Sesa Goa 2-0 with goals from Alex Miranda and Francis D’Souza but God fulfilled Brahmanand’s wishes as he held aloft the trophy.
There were many other incidents, the man who played a record number 17 seasons for Salgaocar, recalled.
“I was a bit nervous despite being a goal ahead after Alex’s goal. I was nervous but I was able to calm my fears after Francis cushioned the score with his goal,” he recalls.
After he got to himself, Brahmanand realised that he had worn his uncle’s underwear and not his own but using his presence of mind changed it soon after the final whistle before collecting the trophy.
The thin lanky goalkeeper was often shied away by coaches and players alike for this thin frame.
But managers like Tonito and players like Levino Dias always encouraged him and guided him in his career to sign for clubs at the right time.
