Leonard Dais

President – Karachi Goan Association Hall

Leonard Dais, President Karachi Goan Association Hall (KGA) talks about his association with the club along with the journey of transformation of The Goa-Portuguese Hall (GPA) to KGA Hall. The 125 years old KGA Hall – the pride of Goans, provides numerous opportunities to its community including recreational activities such as dance, music, theatre, opera, etc.

The Karachi Goan Association Hall is a classic example of stonemasonry.  In 1886, the Goan Portuguese Association (later renamed the Karachi Goan Association) commissioned a little-known architect named Moses Somake to design this leisure club.  It quickly became the center of social life for the Goan community (composed of Catholics of Portuguese-Hindu descent) in Karachi.  The Karachi Goan Association (KGA) Hall was the first work of construction that catapulted Somake to fame, earning him more projects.  Made in the English Renaissance style, it has a pediment, pilasters, hipped roofs dormers, and semicircular window openings.