User:Hadfadkar/Meldon D'Silva

Meldon D'Silva (born on 17 November 1994 in Benaulim, Goa) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Calangute FC. in the Goa Professional League.

Career
Meldon took to football at the age of 10 from Loyola High School where Physical Education teacher Mr Cajetan Fernandes gave him the basic lessons in football and then he went on to represent Goa in the U-12 for boys at the tender age of 11 itself at Chennai nationals where Goa finished as runners-up. At the age of 12, he travelled to Portugal and Sri Lanka along with the Goan team of this age group where he benefited greatly under the Protuguese coach Daniel.

Meldon represented Goa in all age groups like 13, (Chennai nationals), 14 (Calcutta Nationals), 16 (Delhi Nationals) and 18 (Kolkata Nationals). Though only 18, he was the member of Goa team for boys under-19 at Kolkata Nationals as well.

He also represented Goa in the school nationals held in Goa for boys under-14 and under-19 where Goa emerged as the winners in both these nationals.

Dempo
Meldon was largely an unknown boy who with his hard work and excellent display in Goa Professional League playing for Wilfred Lisure earned himself a place in Lusophony Games Squad. His hard work certainly paid off when he scored opening goal in the finals against Mozamqbiue through a header. The strong centre back was impressive at the back and his calmness on the ball earned him loads of fans. His marvellous display for Goa-India and for Wilfred Leisure senior team in the Goa Professional League was enough for him to get signed by Dempo S.C..

International
Meldon has travelled to Manchester in the 2009 for training and then he visited Abu Dhabi and Thailand where he witnessed action for India U16 team where India performed fairly well.