14 September,2009 02:30 PM IST | | IANS
Goa football fraternity on Monday mourned the death of administrator turned commentator Noel de Lima Leitao, who passed away on Saturday night following a massive cardiac arrest at a hotel in Kolkata.
Noel, who was in the city along with Gautam Bhimani for his commentary commitment during the semi-finals and final of the 114th IFA Shield football tournament, was found dead in his hotel room at the Hyatt Regency.
He was 51 and is survived by his wife Nayantara, four daughters and a son. His body is expected to be brought to Goa later on Monday.
"It was a great shock for me as on Saturday I watched him commentating on TV during the IFA shield finals between Churchill Bros and Mohun Bagan. He talked with me after the finals on phone and congratulated me for winning the IFA shield for the first time," president of the Goan Football Association (GFA) Joaquim Alemao said.
"His contribution towards the development of sports in Goa is immense and his sudden death will be a big loss to the GFA," Alemao said.
"As a commentator and football administrator, he was outstanding. He was outspoken and never compromised on his principles," he added.
AIFF secretary, Alberto Colaco too expressed shock at Noel's untimely death and offered his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
"Noel's death is a big loss to Goan and Indian Football. His absence in media and football circles will always be felt," Colaco said.
GFA secretary Savio Messais said he was shattered when he heard the sad news.
"That grass is green in Goa is a rich legacy that Noel has left for all of us involved with football development. The game's future in Goa rests firmly at the feet of our junior players is what Noel always stressed," he said.
As a television expert, Noel was a part of the Indian football scene since 1996 and had also been closely involved with Vasco Sports Club in different roles over the years.
A member of Goa Football Association's jury of Appeals, Noel and a former treasurer and vice-president of the GFA, Noel was the president of the Vasco SC for nearly a decade before relinquishing the post in 2000.
At the time of his death, he was among the board of directors of the newly formed Vasco SC, a company floated as per the guidelines of AFC for I-League Clubs to turn professional.
