England hockey goalkeeper James Mazarello has Goan roots.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The news of a certain James Mazarello pulling on the England jersey during the FIH men's hockey World Cup underway in Odisha has created quite a buzz among the hockey fraternity in Goa and the player's extended family in the State.
“Both Felix and his wife Claire are currently in Odisha following the matches and all of us siblings are cheering James. My husband Roy Antao along with other family members are watching the matches in Goa,” said a delighted Sherin Antao, maternal aunt of James, while talking to 'The Goan' from Betalbatim.
Felix is a first-generation Indian immigrant who migrated from Miraj in Maharashtra in the 70s and traces his roots to Velim village in South Goa, and is now a gastroenterologist at the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Felix's son James, the 21-year-old goalkeeper, is part of the Three Lions' squad which is among the 16 teams taking part in the tournament being played in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
Sherin’s cousin, Fatorda-based Jeevan Mascarenhas, is another family member who is following the progress of the England team at the World Cup. “I have been following the matches. We are all cheering for James and his teammates from Goa,” said Jeevan.
England lead the standings in Group D after their 5-0 win over Wales and a draw against India, who with a 2-0 victory over Spain are currently in the second spot. The top team from each pool will qualify directly for the quarterfinals.
The Mazarellos have a history of serving as doctors, both in Goa and Miraj, and now in England.
“My father Doctor Felcio Piedade Mazarello ran a hospital by the name of Mazarelo's Surgical and Maternity Hospital, Miraj, in the era when medical facilities were not so great in Goa,” said Sherin. Three of Felcio’s children followed him to the medical profession, including James' father Felix, Joe, a medical practitioner in the UK, and Shanti, who is based in Mumbai.
The Mazarello family's influence was not confined just to the medical field in Miraj but post-liberation in the early 60s and 70s, the family wielded quite an influence in the political field and in medical practice in Goa. Felcio's brother Dr Sebastiao Mazarello was the first MLA of Cuncolim and a tall leader of United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) and played a key role in the Opinion Poll. His son Wilson, popularly known as Babush, followed him in the medical profession. But before taking his role as a full-time medical practitioner, Wilson excelled as a footballer for Acadamecia, Panvel and Salgaocar Sports Club.
“We have a few sportsmen in our family; my brother Joe, who is a doctor in the UK, played football at the college level and then we had our cousin, late Wilson, playing for some top clubs of Goa,” said Mumbai-based Shanti, the aunt of James. “We have a lot of medical practitioners in the family, starting with my father Felicio and his brother Sebastiao, followed by me, my two brothers and the two sons of Sebastiao – Wilson and Dr Juvencio,” she added.
The hockey matches at the Commonwealth Games held in England were a family get-together for the Mazarellos to celebrate James' achievement. “All of us were there to watch the matches at the Commonwealth Games held in England,” said UK-based Sanjiv. “My children and my brothers and sisters, all of who are based in the UK, came to watch the matches.”
Quite a few Goans are excited to know that a Goan has worked his way up and is playing for England. “It’s a great achievement for James to shine and play for England,” said Goa-born Swindon-based Sydney Fernandes, who has been playing for nine years for Swindon Hockey Club in Saxon Division 1 in the UK.
Former India international Joaquim Carvalho, who traces his roots to Assolna, also praised James. “I am absolutely delighted and proud of being a Goan and seeing another Goan excelling in hockey, no matter which country colours he dons. I feel proud to be a Goan,” said Joaquim.
Hockey coach Alex Remedios said, "It's always a nice feeling when a Goan is seen playing at the world stage. It only proves that Goans can excel in sports if given an opportunity and a proper environment for sports and a development programme for training to reach the top,” said the Mapusa-based tactician.
Cuncolim-based coach Glestone Fernandes said Goans have played hockey for different countries in the past which proves that they are good at the sport. “We have Goans in the Canadian national team and quite a few other national teams in the past which shows that besides football, Goans have in them to make it to the top in hockey.”
