Former Mumbai football player, coach, mentor, and administrator Anslem Alphonso, 65, breathed his last following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Andheri (East) on Monday morning. Alphonso is survived by his two daughters, Alysha and Astrid, and a son, Aaron.
Anslem Alphonso
Alphonso, a product of St. Mary’s SCC High School, Mazagon, was among the four players from the school selected to represent Maharashtra state in the National Schools’ Games in Agra in 1974. In the same year, St. Mary’s had won the MSSA Inter-Schools and representing Bombay the won the Maharashtra Inter-District tournament.
He later represented Tekson Sports Club in the local league and tournament and after a short playing career, he started coaching activities. Alphonso who was a talented footballer coached the Holy Family High School, Divine Child High School, and was currently the sport-in-charge and coach of the St. Mary’s SSC, and was also the founder of the Alphonso Football Academy.
He also served the Mumbai School Sports Association on the Managing Committee for almost three decades and was an efficient football secretary of the association. He currently was MSSA’s squash secretary and he smoothly conducted the inter-school tournaments over the past couple of months.
Alphonso was a true sportsman was an excellent sports administrator and passing away will certainly leave a huge void in MSSA sporting activities.
The final rites of Alphonso will take place on Tuesday, November 23. The holy mass will be celebrated at 4.30 pm at the Sacred Heart Church, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri (East) followed by burial.