Goa’s Shona Miranda was felicitated by Churchill Brothers Football Club on Thursday for having been appointed as the physiotherapist of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’s Senior Women’s Team in London.
Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers Football Club and AIFF’s Chairperson of Women’s Committee, said it was a honour for Goa that the Cavelossim-based girl became the first woman physiotherapist of the London-based Tottenham Hotspur.
Shona was the first woman sports physiotherapist to be roped in by a senior men’s football team i.e Churchill Brothers. She discharged her duties with aplomb for five years before she moved to London to acquire the 2-year post graduation degree at Middlesex University.
Shona, who joined as a sports physiotherapist with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, rose to become the full-fledged physiotherapist with the first senior women’s team which is playing in the Women’s Super League.
Shona disclosed that she is glad that she took up to the profession due to her parents, father Laju, ex-Cavelossim Sarpanch, her mother, Telma former Bank Manager, her brother Cline, Churchill Alemao and Valanka Alemao for being her inspiration which enabled her to pursue a highly rewarding career.
‘’I started with the foundation team at Tottenham and later on took over the senior women’s team. It is a privilege to work with such a grand team in London. I am passionate about my work in a country where healthcare facilities are of a very high standard.’’
“You perform as a professional and you are rewarded for your performance. You are held in high esteem and treated as one of theirs,’’ added Shona. ‘‘The journey has been tough, yet very sweet, with the credit going to my parents whose support has been phenomenal, without which all this would not have been possible,’’ summed up Shona.
