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