PONDA: Kreeda Bharati Goa felicitated senior sportspersons and members of the sports fraternity from the state, on the occasion of National Sports Day here on Sunday.
Sportspersons from the 70s to 90s are legends in their own way as they battled different conditions to fight their way to create a legacy which the following generations have tried to better with some success. However, a few of the names of yesteryear stars, still continue to hold an unmatched aura. Among them is volleyball star Bina (Naik) Umesh Wagle.
Bina would have easily been a part of Indian volleyball team for Asian Games 1982 but an injury hurt her preparations. Of an average height, the incredible leap she generated for the world class smash among other aspects of her game; made Bina one of the best if not the best, spiker produced by Goa.
The Jivbadada Kerkar awardee was the only woman among the felicitated sportspersons. And when asked what her message was, Bina started by thanking her parents for the amazing support they gave her so that she could continue to fuel her passion. “My father gave an important advice. He said don’t play to win medals and trophies. But play to imbibe the sportsman spirit. Learn to digest defeat!,” she said and added “my mother stressed on the importance of fitness but while building it the activities had to be productive. So I helped her in routine work, and even the neighborhood as I cycled a lot to run errands.”
Bhaskar Khandeparkar, Chairman of Goa Vidyaprasarak Mandal, was the chief guest and saluted Kreeda Bharati for the tremendous work. He also pointed out that Indian sport can progress if such NGOs strive with dedicated efforts.
Kreeda Bharati Goa president Col. Mangesh Dani emphasised the efforts of coaches, who toil in the background so that the players can be at their best and win laurels for the country.
Kreeda Bharati, which is an NGO to promote sports, has a theme song ‘Khel Khiladi Khel’ and the key part of this track is to learn ‘to take success with humility’! Bina’s words will enlighten and reinforce the message for the young generation. The idea of hosting such a programme was to provide today’s sports fraternity an opportunity to get in touch with the views of veteran achievers, revealed KB Goa secretary Anu Modak. Senior members of the organisation were also felicitated during the programme at GVM’s HSS Farmagudi.
