PANAJI: Goa Olympic Association (GOA) awareness programme on the sidelines of Tokyo 2020, saw felicitations of Goa Yachting Association, Goa Swimming Association and Goa Table Tennis Association sportspersons and promoters; along with a 3KM awareness run on Wednesday.
Prominent sailors were felicitated at KTC Bus-stand, Panaji, recognising their achievements. Asian Games 2018 participants brother-sister duo Dayne Coelho and Katya Coelho, National Youth Champion 2018 Russell Lobo, Pradhan Mantri Bal Shakti Puraskar awardee Pearl Colvalcar and Senior National Silver-medallist Keona Rajani were honoured.
Circumnavigator Cdr. Abhilash Tomy was the chief Guest for the ceremony, which was graced by officials of Goa Yachting Association (GYA) namely Sidharth Satardekar (President) and Keith D’ Souza (Gen. Secretary).
Abhilash Tomy praised GYA for putting in great efforts to grow the sport while also highlighting the progress made by Indian sailing. He also advised the young sailors to enjoy the activity with their best efforts.
“Sailing is different from other sports disciplines. Apart from the skill-sets, this sport teaches you patience, and is an exercise in character-building. One who sails knows to deal with circumstances and in a way – you become better than what you were,” emphasised ace sailor Abhilash Tomy, who described Indian sailing contingent’s performance at Tokyo Olympics as ‘commendable, as it has been a big step’ for them to qualify on merit and not on quota.
Indian Navy’s Retd. Cdr. Abhilash, 42, is also gearing up for the Golden Globe Race (GGR) 2022 with his crowd-funding plan in force. He is hoping he can raise Rs 2 crore by October before he buys a boat and launches his campaign for the GGR to be held in September next year.
A 3-km promotional run was held in Panaji with Cycling Association of Goa, Probyk, Goa Triathlon Association, Trigoa coordinating the event under GOA guidance. The run was flagged off by Mukesh Kumar Meena, DGP, Goa Police. Gurudatta Bhakta, Secretary-General, GOA, Rajendra Godinho, Nisha Madgavkar, LiveNewsGoa.com founder Niraj Prabhu were amongst those that participated in the run supported by Young Indians, CII, and Goa Traffic Police.
Over in Margao, Table Tennis and Swimming association personalities were felicitated at Agakhan Park, South Goa. TT’s Anshuman Agarwal, Nagesh Verekar, Jayz Gomes, Sanisha Shetye and Trisha Verlekar were felicitated. From swimming/diving sport; Thomas Jose, P. Narsimhallu, Deepak Chhetry, Keshav Naik and Dayanand Patil were recognised for their outstanding contribution.
Coach Raja Dayal, and Goa TT Association officials Sudin Verenkar and Nilesh Kirtani graced the TT felicitation while Deepali Sawal (Vice-Chairperson, Margao Municipality) and Sudesh Nagvekar (Secretary, Goa Swimming Association) graced the Swimming felicitation programme.
