Former India defender Denzil Franco and veteran boxing official Lenny da Gama on Saturday joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Saligao.
The sporting duo was inducted into the party in the presence of senior leader Prasun Banerjee, West Bengal sports minister Manoj Tiwari and advocate Yatish Naik.
Franco asserted that he has joined TMC to serve the people of Saligao and Goa.” It was always my dream to start my political innings after my playing career from Saligao. We are here to run a government, we are not here to fool people. I am here to serve people and I will be more than happy to serve the people Saligao and Goa.”
He further said that Saligao lacks basic amenities. “I am not promising Taj Mahal in Saligao but basic amenities to the people of Saligao. Saligao produces so many legends of football but we don’t even have a football pitch here.”
Claiming that Banerjee has destroyed the BJP's agenda, Veteran boxing official Da Gama said Mamata didi is a firebrand and doesn’t get scared of anyone.“ We have come together to bring Trinamool Congress to Saligao and Goa. We will fight for the people of Goa.”
Franco is a former Indian footballer. He played 12 matches for India. He was part of the India squad which won the 2021 Nehru Cup.
Da Dama is a senior boxing official with years of experience as a referee and judge. He was only India among the seven international boxing technical officials at this year’s Tokyo Olympics 2020.