PANAJI: Not everyone liked Katz Naidoo , certainly not those who had to adjust their timings and rush to office at 8am!

The South African coach, who was technical director, first at Goa Football Development Council ( GFDC ) and later Dempo Sports Club , was always the first in any office, and if he didn’t have to watch a match or conduct a training session, the last to leave.

Naidoo, 70, passed away in South Africa on Wednesday after a brief illness.

“Nobody could beat his work culture. When it came to time, precision of planning and schedules, he was in a league of his own,” said Elvis Gomes, former president of the Goa Football Association (GFA).

It was Gomes who first brought Naidoo to Goa as member secretary of GFDC. On a visit to South Africa, Naidoo -- head of academy at Maritzburg United -- was being talked about in glowing terms, but it was not until Gomes listened to his ideas, that a decision was made. Soon enough, Naidoo was the first technical director of GFDC, but despite some great initiatives at the start, his one-year contract was not renewed.

“His strictness didn’t go down well with a few, who were accustomed to working at their own pace. There was a friction and he decided it was better to move away,” said Gomes.

GFDC’s loss was certainly Dempo’s gain as the former I-League champions put their youth development house in order. The academy too saw the light of the day in Ela, Old Goa, and has turned out to be one of the best Goa has seen in recent times. The team now dominates every game they play and scores goals for fun. They have either made it to the final or become champions in every junior category – under-14, under-16 and under-19, and narrowly missed qualification for the semifinals of the AIFF Junior League last year.

“He was passionate about his work and meticulous in his planning. He spent hours researching and reading about football and even developed his own curriculum which the Dempo coaches religiously follow,” said a former colleague.

All foreign coaches bring their own staff and then just pack up one day, but Katz made it a point to educate Indian coaches. Even after he left GFDC, there were many who approached him for guidance.

“I’ve never seen a coach with such a good work ethic. He changed a coach’s mentality. From working just two hours on the field everyday and packing bags for home, he drilled into us that it was important to spend time in the office too. We planned weekly sessions and it was always inspiring to listen to him,” said a coach who worked with him until he was diagnosed with lung cancer in July this year.

