The Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) celebrated its tenth anniversary with its annual sports festival, get-together and felicitation function at the Sinquetim Sports Complex, Sinquetim, Navelim, on Sunday.
The event brought together former players, officials and administrators, who, despite their advancing age, took to the field and relived the good old days when they excelled and won honours for the state. There were football (men, 7-a-side), volleyball (men and women) and basketball (mixed, 3X3) matches for veterans, while athletics was a major draw as athletes enthusiastically competed once again in events like 50m run, shot put and 4x50m mixed shuttle relay.
Padma Shri recipient Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Shankhwalkar was among the football participants.
“This annual get-together is one of our most cherished initiatives as we bring veteran sportspersons together to relive fond memories, share experiences and renew old friendships. Sportspersons are in demand during their playing days and forgotten when they retire. We want to change this and ensure that a sportsperson is appreciated long after their active sporting careers have ended. They should feel valued, loved and respected.”
There was plenty of love and affection during the felicitation as AWES recognised the efforts of two clubs that had completed 100 years and more — Associacao Academica de Moira and Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias – while clubs who took part in the first Goan Football League in 1951 and still exist were also honoured.
Like every year, individual performers above the age of 80 were also recognised. Among them was Dr. Satish Kudchadkar, Goa’s super fit badminton icon, a national gold medallist, India representative at the prestigious BWF World Seniors, and recipient of the Dr. B.C. Roy Award 2024 for eminent doctor personality.
Allround sportsperson Anthony Fernandes who has won plenty of international medals for Masters in shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, hammer throw and 100 metres run was also among the awardees. He was joined by veteran cyclist Peter Rodrigues, former Crown Club volleyball player Carmo Vaz and Apu Rajan, who took up long-distance running in his later years and proved that it is never too late to begin a new journey. Long-serving office bearer of Calangute Association, Gajanan Salkar, was also felicitated.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat was the chief guest for the felicitation function. Also present on the dais was Goa Football Association President Dr. Caitano Fernandes, Padma Shri awardee Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Dronacharya Award winner Armando Colaco, Dr Satish Kudchadkar, besides AWES vice presidents Vinod Parkkot, Derrick Pereira and Joe Dias.
AWES general secretary Jennifer Gonsalves compered the event while assistant general secretary Lector Mascarenhas proposed the vote of thanks.
The event was supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
AWARDEES: Associacao Academica de Moira, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Sporting Clube de Goa, Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao, PVC Sports Club, Calangute Association, Vasco Sports Club, Guirim Sports Club, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, FC Siolim, Associacao Academica de Majorda-Utorda-Calata, CRC Chinchinim, Dr. Satish Kudchadkar, Peter Rodrigues, Anthony Fernandes, Apu Rajan, Carmo Vaz and Gajanan Salkar.
