BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
Wanting to live up to his name, FC Goa’s new domestic recruit Saviour Gama from Chicalim believes he can shore up the back-line of the Gaurs as a left-back with pride in the Indian Super League which kicks off today.
An Achilles heel of FC Goa last season, the Gaurs’ defence will have a new member as the 21-year-old makes the grade from the developmental squad to the first team. “It feels great. It was my desire to play for FC Goa (first team) when I joined their junior side,” a visibly happy Gama told The Goan.
While most of the boys from the developmental squad assembled towards June end for pre-season training, FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera had an eye on Gama and three other lads from the side (Liston Colaco, Princeton Rebello and Mohammad Nawaz) for the bigger picture. “I think Lobera was impressed by my good performance in the Pro League last season. FC Goa were also lacking a left back. I got a call from the FC Goa management to get my visa ready to go to Spain for pre-season training,” Gama revealed.
Still fresh in mind was his maiden exposure overseas with FC Goa for the pre-season at La Manga Club, Murica, Spain. “It was great. I learnt many new things about the game like fast passing, when to hold, when to press, play at a high intensity, maintain the shape of the game. I learnt a lot from the players who were very supportive,” Gama recounts.
Probably the match that made a strong case to make Lobera pick Gama for the first team was his heart-warming performance in their last away friendly against CD Algar. “In the last game (in Spain) that we eventually won at 2-1 was very competitive and tough. I had won many tackles, not giving a single chance to their attackers from their right flank,” he stated. “In the five matches that we played in Spain, I alternated as left-back with Mandar Rao Dessai (normally a left-winger),” he added. Incidentally, Lalhmangaihsanga, the Mizo left-back with the side, did not travel with the squad
to Spain.
Gama began his journey in football while playing for fun in his neighbourhood at seven. In due course, he began to represent his school, Regina Mundi High School, Chicalim in U-13, U-14 football tournaments. Being a lefty, his PT teacher, Allan Gonsalves slotted him as a left-back as there was no one else for the position and Gama had shown early promise to run up and down the wing. He was named as the best defender while only 14, in the Parikrama Cup (U-18) -- a national-level tournament where his school finished third -- in Bengaluru. From thereon, he was called for U-16 trials by a Salgaocar FC coach Anthony. Still only 14, a month on he quit practices as he felt bored to travel a long distance from home to The Kings School in Nuvem. It was not long that another call came his way when Betalbatim SC coach Eban Mesquita presented him with a break in the 2012-13 season to play for their U-16 outfit. A year later, Gama was playing in open tournaments, Second and Third Division only for the next two years.
During one Second Division League match where he turned out for Mormugao Sports & Cultural Club in 2015, Joaquim -- who has been his mentor -- saw him play and was impressed by his skill and invited him to join Raia SC for the Bandodkar Trophy as a left-winger. A month later, he was again left with no team until the highly respected coach Armando Colaco presented him with a big break with the newly-formed FC Bardez outfit in 2016 and in the first tournament with the side, at the Goa Police Cup he was part of the winning team.
Midway through the Goa Pro League, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a fracture on his left ankle. After having recovered, he was loaned out to Sesa Football Academy (SFA). Interestingly, he played for SFA as a striker in the First Division netting three goals from four matches until injury was to befall upon him again. Gama got a knock on the same ankle which had a screw fitted in.
Gama came to know that trials for a FC Goa Developmental Squad were on and though only half-fit, seized the chance. “I gave my trials for the side while only 50 per cent fit with Derrick Pereira and Clifford Miranda overlooking the proceedings. From around 50 players that came in, I was among 28 shortlisted to make it to the ‘B’ side eventually,” he informed.
Gama eventually played for the FC Goa Developmental Squad in the ensuing Pro League and Second Division simultaneously, only to have injury to rule him out again for four months. “Although I missed a lot of games with the team, I had a good season and learnt a lot,” Gama said. He credited the head coach, Derrick Pereira for teaching him the finer nuances of
the game.
