Panaji: Peter Figueredo is grateful Portugal for gift.
It’s a gift that has come in handy for him and his family, and countless others who have surrendered their Indian passports and taken Portuguese citizenship.
Under Portuguese law, those born in their colonies before independence – in the case of Goa, December 19, 1961 – would remain Portuguese provided their births were registered in Portugal. Their descendants up to the third generation are also eligible for Portuguese passports.
“In a small state where there is a lot of unemployment, the Portuguese passport has become a saving grace,” says Figueredo, a Goan by birth and Portuguese by citizenship.
As of 2019, around 10-12 Goans surrendered their Indian passports every week.
“People are grateful to 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 doors of the world open for you. You can travel and work abroad. Even after Brexit (in the UK), the clamor for passports has not subsided,” Figueredo says.
For now, Goa’s relationship with Portugal goes beyond passport.
The state has many football enthusiasts who root for Portugal during major competitions such as the World Cup and the Euro. The holy trinity of Portuguese football – Sporting Lisbon, SL Benfica and FC Porto – all have their supporters in this part of the world.
Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Goa’s greatest sportsperson and the first from the state to win the Arjuna Award, says, “It’s a relationship that goes back a long way. “We grew up watching ‘pakles’ (whites) and it has stayed with us. Furthermore, football in Goa has been majorly influenced by the Portuguese who started the league (in 1951) and formed the association (in 1959). .
While old-timers grew up listening to Portuguese football league commentary and pagan stars like Eusebio – the sensationalist at the World Cup in 1966 when Portugal finished third on debut – the modern generation found their hero in Cristiano Ronaldo, five Ballon d’Or. The winner of the Ors, awarded to the best player in the world.
“Goa has a strong relationship with Portugal because of football,” says Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Velvin Menezes. “There’s a lot to like about them. They have some great players, with Cristiano being the greatest. I just want them to win the World Cup once. Trust me, the party starts here before Lisbon.” ”
It’s a gift that has come in handy for him and his family, and countless others who have surrendered their Indian passports and taken Portuguese citizenship.
Under Portuguese law, those born in their colonies before independence – in the case of Goa, December 19, 1961 – would remain Portuguese provided their births were registered in Portugal. Their descendants up to the third generation are also eligible for Portuguese passports.
“In a small state where there is a lot of unemployment, the Portuguese passport has become a saving grace,” says Figueredo, a Goan by birth and Portuguese by citizenship.
As of 2019, around 10-12 Goans surrendered their Indian passports every week.
“People are grateful to 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 doors of the world open for you. You can travel and work abroad. Even after Brexit (in the UK), the clamor for passports has not subsided,” Figueredo says.
For now, Goa’s relationship with Portugal goes beyond passport.
The state has many football enthusiasts who root for Portugal during major competitions such as the World Cup and the Euro. The holy trinity of Portuguese football – Sporting Lisbon, SL Benfica and FC Porto – all have their supporters in this part of the world.
Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Goa’s greatest sportsperson and the first from the state to win the Arjuna Award, says, “It’s a relationship that goes back a long way. “We grew up watching ‘pakles’ (whites) and it has stayed with us. Furthermore, football in Goa has been majorly influenced by the Portuguese who started the league (in 1951) and formed the association (in 1959). .
While old-timers grew up listening to Portuguese football league commentary and pagan stars like Eusebio – the sensationalist at the World Cup in 1966 when Portugal finished third on debut – the modern generation found their hero in Cristiano Ronaldo, five Ballon d’Or. The winner of the Ors, awarded to the best player in the world.
“Goa has a strong relationship with Portugal because of football,” says Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Velvin Menezes. “There’s a lot to like about them. They have some great players, with Cristiano being the greatest. I just want them to win the World Cup once. Trust me, the party starts here before Lisbon.” ”
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