Introduction:
In March this year, around 30 high school students from Pui Ching Middle School in Macau visited the Benfica Macau Academy in Coloane. They interviewed football coaches from around the world in English and wrote about them. Hopefully, more people in Macau will learn about the coaches’ contributions and achievements here.
Advisory teachers:
Crissie Wong Ung Fong
Rachel Tou Wing Sze
Adilson Pereira (seventh from left), Patrick Gomes (eighth from left), and Mamadu Fati (ninth from left) pose for a group photo with students from Pui Ching Middle School (Macau) in March.– Photos: Pui Ching Middle School
Patrick Gomes: A passionate football coach inspiring the next generation
S4A Sunnie Lam Hoi Cheng, S4A Sylvia Ye Pui Kei, S4A Madison Lau Hao Ieng
Patrick Gomes, who was born in Vatican City, started playing football at the age of five. He grew up in a supportive family and enjoyed watching a football team from Portugal. Through discussions about this team, he made friends and was inspired to play football.
At the age of eight, he joined a football team, competed in a local tournament, coming second. This early achievement became a pivotal milestone in his life, significantly boosting his confidence and motivating him to persevere. His passion burnt brightly within him, and he truly wanted to share his talent with the new generations. This is why he volunteered as a football coach at Benfica Macau Academy.
However, teaching students comes with its own challenges. For instance, some younger kids may not always follow his instructions, making it difficult to organise training sessions. To overcome these obstacles, he thinks about his family, who always supports him, and his passion remains strong. Despite all challenges, his happiness and interest in football are the driving forces behind his dedication.
Unlike most teachers, he sees his students as his best friends. However, this does not mean he lacks principles for them. He expects his students to be respectful towards him and one another. They are encouraged to support each other, even when they fall, and are not allowed to blame or make fun of one another. Additionally, they are expected to be punctual. When students make mistakes, Gomes does not scold them, as it would make them insecure. Instead, he treats his students kindly and strives to bring out their full potential, encouraging them not to be afraid of trying new techniques.
“Never stop chasing your dreams and never doubt yourself. Even if it seems difficult, you will find the right solution in the end,” Gomes advised the new generation. Gomes’s passion and dedication make him an exceptional coach for teenagers and children in Macau. To this day, he is popular among students, and he remains committed to actively contributing to Macau’s community.
Patrick Gomes teaches students football at the Benfica Macau Academy in Coloane in March
Adilson Pereira: A promising football player from Africa generation
S4D Clara Leong Si Mei, S4B Thomas Ho Tak In, S4B Hugo Lam dos Remédios , S4B Karson Ung Ka Seng
Adilson Pereira was born on May 29, 1993, in Cape Verde, Africa, where the official language is Portuguese. His passion for football has led him to become both a professional footballer and a coach at Benfica Macau.
Inspired by his peers, Adilson loved football from a young age and joined a football academy at the age of nine. Although his mother didn’t want him to become a football player due to the risk of injury, he studied hard to convince her. Eventually, he was selected to participate in the city football team because of his talent and skills.
Adilson had been playing as a left winger for the youth team of his country since he was under 9 years old. Adilson, the hard worker, studied Mathematics at university and trained frequently at the same time to prepare well for his career as a professional football player. After his graduation, he dedicated most of his time and energy to football. During his time at Atlético Macau, his performance was remarkable. This led Benfica, the most successful football club in Macau, to invite the talented player to join it in 2022. Adilson said that his best memory as a footballer was being included in the starting XI* of the squad after spending a long time on the bench. Now, Adilson is a seasoned football player who has already won several major trophies with the team. He has also become a coach to educate the next generation in Macau through his experiences.
From a young boy with a deep passion for football to a professional football coach, Adilson has taught many children the essential techniques of the game and how to apply those skills in competition. Additionally, he spent countless hours honing his own abilities to achieve greater success in tournaments. His dedication and pursuit of his favourite sport are truly inspiring.
*In football, “XI” (pronounced “eleven”) refers to the starting lineup or the first eleven players selected by a team for a match. The Roman numeral “XI” stands for 11, representing the 11 players that make up a standard football team on the field.
Adilson Pereira talking to a group of students.
Meet Mamadu Fati in Macau
S4A Kiara Xu Chi Kei, S4A Jerry Chen Chi Lok, S4A Giselle Chan Chi Cheng
Mamadu Fati, born on April 20, 1998, in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, grew up in a city where football was woven into the fabric of everyday existence. Influenced by his father, he started playing at a young age. While studying in school, despite finding it difficult, Fati tried to balance football and studies because of his strong passion.
In 2019, he moved to Macau with his cousins to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), and he will have completed his master’s degree in Business Administration by next month. To pursue his dream in football, he joined a football team in Macau and has competed against other local teams. Since he is busy with his university studies, he only trains once a week; however, he goes to the gym every day to build physical strength.
He encourages youngsters who are interested in football to follow their coaches’ instructions and to maintain a mindset that everything can be overcome. These are the key factors contributing to his success in football. Once, he scored three goals and the team won the game 3-2, despite coming from behind with a 0-2 deficit. This example perfectly illustrates his mindset.
His journey from a small-town boy to a versatile football player is an inspiration to football-mad kids. Fati’s personality, self-discipline, determination, and abilities are all factors contributing to his success today, encouraging teenagers to chase their dreams.
Mamadu Fati trains students in football.
