When we think of Goa and sports, football is what immediately comes to mind. Yes, it is undoubtedly the most popular sport in our tiny state and whether it is the local taverna, the local tinto or the busy bazaar, sports buffs love to talk football.
However, more recently, other sporting events like the Goa Triathlon, the Goa Swimathon, the Tri Kids Goa, Goa River Marathon (GRM) and the Brevet Randonneur Mondiax ( endurance cycling) events are slowly but steadily occupying the mind space of local, national and international sports persons and attracting them to Goa. Today, Goa has more triathletes, sea swimmers, endurance cyclists and marathon runners than it did in the year 2000.
Take the Goa Triathlon for instance. Organised by Enduro Sports Goa and scheduled to be held on Sunday, February 11 in the Bambolim Bay area, it has morphed from a 91-triathletes event five years ago to a 430-plus triathletes event this year. Thirty per cent of these triathletes hail from the megapolis of Mumbai and significant numbers from Pune, Bengaluru and New Delhi. If that is not all, several expats residing in India and hailing from countries as diverse as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, UK and USA will be taking part in the event this year, underlining its growing popularity.
The Goa Triathlon has truly put Goa on the international map of the world, as it is widely hailed as the best organised triathlon in India. For starters, it is the only triathlon in India where the swimming leg is held in the open sea ( the Bambolim Bay), at a time when the swimming legs of other Indian triathlons are held inside swimming pools or in lakes. Supported as it is by Drishti Marine the local lifesaving experts and the Indian Navy, the Goa Triathlon boasts of a one hundred per cent safety record. Other special features which separate the Goa Triathlon from other Indian triathlons is the fact that both the cycling and running segments which are held on the Goa University road are closed to traffic, making it extremely stress free and safe for the participating triathletes.
Praise for the Goa Triathlon has come from no less than Swiss Ironman triathlete Pablo Erat, who is the defending champion for the last four years. Says Pablo, “The event organisers (Enduro Sports) have managed to build the only triathlon in India which meets international standards. The team has carefully nurtured the event in the spirit of a “triathlon family” with the participants’ interests very close to their hearts. It is a true celebration of passion and friendship.”
Pablo’s wife, Lucia, the defending champion in the women’s category and the brand ambassador of the Goa Triathlon 2018 says, “For me it is a great honour to be brand ambassador for Triathlon Goa, because it gives me the opportunity to support and hopefully inspire my fellow athletes. My main motivation is to share my passion with other female athletes and demonstrate that this is a sport optimally suited for women and we can become just as successful as many male athletes.”
If that is not all, differently abled triathletes have also made the Goa Triathlon a part of their annual calendar. Take Lt Col Gaurav Dutta for instance.
Dutta, lost one of his limbs in a mine blast on the Line of Control in Kashmir. Today, with a prosthetic limb and a blade, Dutta is a regular participant in the super sprint category of the Goa Triathlon.
Petty Officer (Navy) Praveen Teotia is the other important, injured triathlete taking part in this year’s Goa Triathlon. A Shaurya Chakra awardee, Teotia was part of the Indian Army’s quick response to the 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Badly injured in the fire-fight at the Taj, Teotia bravely bore a series of surgeries to bounce back as a marathon runner and triathlete. Teotia who had an impressive outing in last year’s Goa Triathlon will be seen in action once again on February 11.
Of course, the fore-runner to the Goa Triathlon is the Goa Swimathon which was first organised by the Enduro Sports Goa team in the year 2011. The eighth edition of this event will be held in March 2018. The Swimathon which comprises seas swims in the 1, 2, 5 and 10km categories has become quite a rage with endurance swimmers across the country. Interestingly, the event is an off-shoot of the Goa Open Water Swim Club started by Team Enduro Sports several years ago. The club sees swimmers regularly swim long distances every Sunday from the Bambolim beach.
Likewise, Enduro Sports’ latest event, the Tri Kids Goa which began three years ago is arguably the only triathlon for children in the country. From a very small number of participants in the year 2015, the latest edition last year had over 100 participants from Goa and across India. As can be seen, there is life beyond football in our state!
