SERAPHINO ANTAO, the Goan superstar, was not a man who bit his tongue. He said what was troubling him. He had a bitter of a temper, and who could deny him that as most athletes are by nature pretty highly strung. However, he often chose his words carefully. Yet, when life in the fast lane became a bit of wild whirlwind, he would ask a friend to write some of his speeches. There were times when it was the speechwriter talking and not the real Antao.
However, there was one day when he said what he ad to say to the Goans and the Coastal community in general. It was recorded by the local media:
However, there was one day when he said what he ad to say to the Goans and the Coastal community in general. It was recorded by the local media:
Antao criticises
poor support
by community
Seraphino Antao, the Mombasa sprinter
who won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, said in Mombasa on
Saturday that the public in general and a community, in particular, could
assist in a great way in fostering, encouraging Kenya sportsmen and sportswomen
who showed promise. “This attitude I regret to say sadly lacking in my own
community,” he added.
Antao was speaking at the Goan
Institute ground at a rally held in his honour by the Goan community.
He continued: “Many of our
members, who hold high positions in sports organisations, clubs, institutions
and elsewhere, tend to forget the purpose of accepting such offices.
“To the best of my knowledge
and experience, these people accept to serve only for the sole purpose of
getting into the limelight.
“Before I left for Europe at
the beginning of last year and my subsequent participation in the Commonwealth
Games at Perth, there were a number of doubting Thomases in this country, but I
hope my achievements will now have confounded the worst of my enemies.
He singled out his coach Ray
Batchelor for special mention: “I am sure he is proud that his efforts in
training me have not been wasted.”
The highlight of the rally was
a presentation to Antao of an address signed by the presidents of the Mombasa
Goan Community, the Goan Institute and St Francis Xavier’s Tailor’s Society on
behalf of their members.
The address, which was read by
Mr Archie Fernandes, president of the Mombasa Goan Community, said Antao “epitomised
all that is grand in Goan sporting endeavour.”
In a football match held
during the rally, Bardez beat Salcette 3-2.
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