Panaji: Peter Figueiredo thanked Portugal for the gift.
This is a useful gift for him and his family, and countless ones that have submitted their Indian passports and took Portuguese citizenship.
Under the Portuguese law, those who were born in their colony before liberation – in the case of Goa, December 19, 1961 – continued to become a Portuguese, provided that their birth was registered in Portugal.
Their descendants, to the third generation, are also eligible for the Portuguese passport.
“In a small state with so many unemployed, Portuguese passport turned out to be a saved grace,” Figueiredo, Goan with birth and Portuguese with citizenship.
Until 2019, around 10-12 goans handed over their Indian passports every week.
“People thank Portugal for this gift.
You can’t find a job here; they are all sold to the highest bidder.
If you take Portuguese citizenship, the door of the world is open to you.
You can travel abroad and work.
Even after Brexit (In England), the cries of the passport have not died, “Figueiredo said.
Goa connection with Portugal, for now, even goes beyond a passport.
The state has several football fans who root for Portugal during large competitions such as the World Cup and Euro.
Holy Trinity of Portuguese Soccer – Sporting Lisbon, SL Benfica and FC Porto – all have their supporters in this part of the world.
“This is a connection that returns far,” said Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, could be said to be the biggest sportsman of Goa and the first of the state to win the Arjuna award.
“We growed watching ‘Pakles’ (white) and it has lived with us.
In addition, football in Goa has started influenced by the Portuguese who started the league (in 1951) and formed an association (in 1959).” While the old timer growing listening to the comments of the Portuguese soccer league and the stars that idolized like Eusebio – Sensational at the World Cup in 1966 when Portugal ended a third of the debut – a modern generation found their hero in Cristiano Ronaldo, the winner of five Balloons d’Ors, given to the best players in world.
“Goa connection with strong Portugal, thank you football,” said Welvin Menezes, CEO at Sporting Clube de Goa.
“There are so many preferred about them.
They have some good players in their ranks, with Cristiano the biggest of them all.
I just want them to win the World Cup once.
Believe me, the party will begin here, before Lisbon.”