PANAJI: SSA Government College-Pernem won the inter-collegiate volleyball championship for women. They beat PES College-Ponda in the final. The championship was organised by the Goa Volleyball Association in collaboration with Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim and Goa College of Music, Altinho; under the aegis of Association of College Directors of Physical Education and Sports (ACDOPEG), at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao.
The SSA Women’s Team thus created history for the Pernem college by winning their first-ever State title at the inter-college volleyball event.
On the road to the podium, SSA Govt College had to overcome some really strong opponents. In the 1st round, itself they defeated the mighty St. Xavier’s College, who were the strongest contenders to win the championship. With the confidence earned in the opening match, they overcame another tough opponent – Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College, Assagao in the quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, SSA Govt College got the better of Dhempe College of Arts & Science, Panaji. In the all-important final, SSA Govt College-Pernem triumphed over PES College Farmagudi-Ponda. Arpita Sawant, captain, was adjudged the best player of the tournament.
According to the Virnoda-based college, “this victory is not an overnight miracle, but a trend started by the college about six years ago to encourage women in sports. Ex-players of the college, themselves used to come and practice and train their juniors. The sportswomen at the SSA Govt College-Pernem have shown discipline and commitment not only in academics and sports, but also in their social and personal lives which enabled parents to encourage their daughters to come out and shine.”
Team SSA: Arpita Sawant (captain), Runali Jyoti, Divya Gadekar, Akshata Mahale,Divya Naik, Khushi Kanulkar, Rishika Kambli, Sushanti Parab, Sanika Mahale, Khushi Parab,Sanisha Shetye and Nilima Varadkar; Coach – Rahul Gaude, College Director of Physical Education & Sports: Lt. (Dr.) Sam Braganza.
