Marking a progressive stride in inclusive sports, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa, felicitated outstanding athletes at the Para Civil Service Tournament Prize Distribution Ceremony held at Campal, Panaji on Monday.
The event recognised achievements for two tournament cycles – 2023–24 and 2025–26, across badminton, table tennis, chess and carrom for persons with disabilities.
The prizes were distributed by Dr. Ajay R. Gaude, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, in the presence of Dr. Vivek S. Pawar, Deputy Director, and Irwin Corde, Assistant Director (Coaching). The ceremony reflected both sporting excellence and the State’s commitment towards accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunity in sports.
Results – Para Civil Service Tournament 2023–24: Para Badminton (Wheelchair Category), Vishant Nagvekar secured first position, followed by Sayad Mosik A. Mauli and Dr. Vittal Rane. Hearing Impairment Category, Rahul Kunkolienkar stood first, with Isidorio Oliveira securing second place.
Upper Limb Disability Category, Gopal Kunkalekar emerged first, followed by Krishna Chari and Chandrakant Gaude.Lower Limb Disability Category, Flew Andrade secured first place, followed by Ritesh Vaigankar and Santosh Gawas.
Carrom (Persons with Disabilities Category), Ajit Borkar secured first position, with Santosh Gawas and Rajesh Naik finishing second and third respectively.
Chess (Persons with Disabilities Category), Bibhishen Chandroji secured first place, followed by Sandeep Padwalkar and Gopal Kunkalekar.
Results – Para Civil Service Tournament 2025–26: Table Tennis (Standing Category), Alex Domnic secured first position, while Gopal Naik finished second.
Table Tennis (Wheelchair Category), Vishant Nagvekar secured first place, followed by Patrick D’Souza.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Gaude expressed his commitment to further strengthening para sports in Goa through the Sports Authority of Goa. He assured that State Para Civil Service Tournaments will continue to be conducted regularly, providing a sustained platform for athletes with disabilities.
He also appreciated the winners for attending the ceremony at short notice, acknowledging that communication gaps occurred due to consecutive public holidays. Officials further announced that an additional prize distribution ceremony will be held on May 8, 2026, for those who could not attend the present function.
Notably, the inclusion of para sports in the State Civil Service Tournament marks a pioneering initiative, making Goa one of the first States to formally integrate such categories within its civil services sporting framework. It is hoped that this progressive model will be adopted at the national level, paving the way for the inclusion of para sports in the National Civil Services Tournament.
The initiative reflects a commendable commitment by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa, and reinforces the principle that sport is a powerful medium for inclusion—where determination, skill, and perseverance define success.
The ceremony stood as a strong reminder that creating equal sporting opportunities is not merely an initiative, but a responsibility towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.
