Margao: Francisco Monte Cruz , affectionately known as the ‘beerman’ of Goa, passed away on Tuesday at 79. Monte Cruz, who represented Benaulim for two terms and served as sports minister in the Pratapsing Rane govt in the late 1980s, left an indelible mark on Goa’s political and sports landscape. Monte Cruz’s political journey began in Jan 1980, when he was first elected as an MLA on a Congress ticket, defeating Raul Cardozo of MGP with an impressive 74% vote share.
He was re-elected in 1984, this time defeating Churchill Alemao, who contested as an independent. During his tenure as sports minister, Cruz played a pivotal role in the construction of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium , Fatorda, which was completed within an astonishing eight months of the laying of its foundation stone. His unwavering commitment to the project enabled Goa to host the prestigious Nehru Cup , an international football tournament, on January 19, 1989.
Cruz’s dedication to the stadium’s construction was unparalleled. He set up a makeshift office at the site, where he would spend countless hours overseeing the progress of the work. Even the loss of his father during this period did not deter him from his mission.
Alberto Colaco, then secretary of the Goa Football Association (GFA), recalled visiting Cruz’s house to offer condolences, only to be met with Cruz’s unwavering focus on the stadium’s completion. The Goa legislative assembly had passed a resolution to name one of the stands at the stadium in Cruz’s memory, a tribute that is yet to be realised. Radharao Gracias, a former MLA and political commentator, noted that the stadium would remain a testament to Cruz’s legacy for as long as it stands.
“Nevertheless, the stadium turned out to be his swansong,” said Gracias. “Congress denied him the ticket in the ensuing elections.” A decade later, Cruz joined United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) which fielded him in the 2002 assembly polls, this time from Fatorda constituency.
However, a split in the Catholic vote between him and Congress candidate Luis Alex Cardozo led to his defeat, with BJP’s Damodar “Damu” Naik winning. Apart from his political career, Cruz also made a name for himself as a beer baron. The Impala Distillery and Brewery Ltd, promoted by the Cruz family, produced the popular Kings Beer, which was the only pilsner beer brand in the country for over 25 years until it was acquired by the Viiking Group.
Cruz’s larger-than-life personality often made headlines, particularly during his 2002 election campaign. Cardozo accused Cruz of “flooding” the constituency with Belo beer after he allegedly distributed thousands of beer bottles to UGDP workers. In his later years, as his health deteriorated, Cruz was often seen sitting outside his iconic bungalow at Pajifond, which had become a landmark in its own right.
The architectural beauty of the house was matched only by the colourful personality of its inhabitant. Cruz’s contributions to the state’s politics, sports, and business sectors have left an indelible mark on the region’s history. He is survived by his wife Monica, son Vijay, and daughters Hema, Asha, and Nisha.
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