Imagine playing a sport in your backyard and the next thing you know you are representing your country. Although there have been many sportspersons whose career has graphed as such, anyone can vouch that most athletes’ paths are filled with hurdles, the biggest being a lack of financial backing.
On the occasion of National Sports Day, a day that commemorates the birth of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh, we asked a few Goan sportspersons what change can contribute to better Goa’s ranking on the sports scene, and here’s what they said:
TIME PLAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IN SHAPING AN ATHLETE’S CAREER
Physical health and fitness remain crucial determinants in a sportsperson’s career trajectory. And since nobody can stay young forever, it’s crucial to start early. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes every extended support to nurture an athlete.
“I would like to see more development programmes for athletes of the state, more support from governing bodies to promote sports and nurture athletes from a young age. An athlete’s career is rather short, and time plays the most important role in shaping an athlete’s career. Finding talent and nurturing kids at a young age not only makes their lifestyle disciplined but opens a lot of opportunities to develop and grow talent, bringing more medal probabilities to the state,” says Katya Ida Coelho, Goa's windsurfer.
Being born in Goa, a place famous for beaches, windsurfing came rather naturally to her. Her father, a national windsurfing champion himself, was her very first mentor. She began her journey with windsurfing at age 11, and since then has won over 13 national gold medals for Goa, 3 international Asian championship medals for the country in 2014 (bronze) and 2015 (silver) and India’s first silver in the Olympic class – IQFoil in 2021.
“My sport is rather rare in Goa, even India, which is why I use my social media platforms to promote it. I wish the association was more proactive in conducting awareness and giving the right support that’s essential for athletes representing the country at international events. Nevertheless, I have a positive attitude towards the sport and hope to see fruitful changes in the future,” she says.
BETTER INCENTIVES AND TRAINING CENTRES
A sportsperson's performance is dependent on many factors, exposure and training being crucial. Coaches, government bodies and even sports enthusiasts can be driving forces that propel athletes to achieve greater strides.
"It would be nice if Goa had more centres for overall sports development, especially for a sport like boxing. We need more coaches. Better incentives from the government will go a long way in promoting the sport," states Daniella D'Souza, a boxer from Verem.
Daniella has been into boxing since 2021. She has represented Goa at the Nationals in 2022 and 2023, apart from participating in a few other tournaments in Goa. She's won a bronze at state-level boxing championships in 2021 and is currently training at the MP State Boxing Academy in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
INCULCATE THE LOVE FOR SPORTS YOUNG
Although there's no age when one can start playing a sport or become a professional athlete, developing a fondness towards a sport early allows one to become proficient. Apart from imparting knowledge and skills, it’s necessary for governments to extend financial support and provide proper training gear and more so that youngsters are better equipped to take on challenges.
Valerian Rodrigues is a footballer from Goa. Like many, he's been into the state's most loved sport since high school. He has represented the state at the All India University Championship and also at the F5 National Championship. He was recently part of the team that represented the country at the 2023 Red Bull Four2score World finals in Germany at Leipzig.
"I'd say when it comes to football in Goa, we need more people to invest in activities related to the sport. Moreover, a strong grassroots development programme, wherein kids aged 6-8 are introduced to the game, will help provide a strong foundation, and thereby create quality players for the state," he explains.
A LITTLE SUPPORT IS ALL WE NEED
Eighteen-year-old Chanel Crizzle has always been an avid sports enthusiast and has had her fair share of experience in almost all sports fields. She has represented Goa in football, athletics and rugby and is currently representing India in rugby 7s, in the U-18 and U-20 categories, with the team being ranked 2nd in Asia.
"Rugby in Goa has a lot of potential. We just need adequate financial backing and a dedicated rugby field for us to train on and grow in this field. We have the talent in Goa; a little support is all we need," she states, having been into the sport since 2017.
Crizzle participated in her very first Nationals for Goa in 2018 and ranked 2nd all India in the U-14 category. Since then she has represented the state on several occasions and was even the head coach for the Goa senior women's team that played in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in 2021.
Along with her team, she has represented India at rugby championships under different age categories and has secured 3 silver medals for the country.
HELP IS REQUIRED DURING THE JOURNEY, NOT AFTER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
"There's a lot that can be done to support upcoming chess talent. Firstly, special coaching camps by IMs and GMs should be arranged regularly. Organising international-level grandmaster tournaments will give tremendous exposure to Goan players," suggests Goa's Ethan Vaz, who's an awardee of the title of FIDE Master (FM) given by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Ethan has been playing chess since age 6. He has won 15 international medals for India at Western Asia, Asia, world and Commonwealth chess championships; 6 national medals while representing his state Goa and also is a 5-time state champion of Goa since 2019, in various age categories, including the U-15 Open State Chess Championship in 2022.
"Schemes available for the sportspersons in Goa are negligible as compared to what's been provided in other states. It would be helpful to upgrade our sports awards policy to match the benefits being offered by other states. Cash awards for players who've won international medals for the country need to be awarded quickly. Currently, these awards have been overdue for the last 5 years in Goa," he rues.
Ethan recently returned from the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival 2023. He holds the World No 1 spot in blitz chess in the U-12 category.
"Expenses towards chess tournaments and coaching are huge, and it would be very helpful if more corporates come forward to support sportspersons. Sportspersons need support and recognition from the State during their journey and struggles, and not after their goals have been accomplished," he states, adding that his dream is to become one of the youngest chess grandmasters in the world.
