Sports tournaments in Pernem taluka generally attract a generous number of spectators, but the finals of a volleyball competition in Dhargal had an unusual attraction that left spectators glued to action on and off the field.
For the first time in the village, Russian cheerleaders were in attendance at the finals of a volleyball tournament and their success was comparable to their counterparts in the Indian Premier League. Getting the Russian cheerleaders and dancers was the initiative of the young businessman and Dhargal United Sports Club owner Jeet Arolkar.
Speaking to The Goan Everyday, Arolkar explained the purpose of adding extra glamour to the volleyball tournament. “We have seen cheerleaders prominently featured in the IPL and so we thought, why can't this concept be replicated in local volleyball matches,” said Arolkar.
Arolkar decided to try out the concept at his own tournament, when the Dhargal United Sports Club organised the volleyball tournament at Shirgal, Dhargal a few weeks ago. “I got in touch with an event management company to arrange for the cheerleaders in the tournament and they brought four cheerleaders and two dancers from Russia,” said Arolkar.
News of the cheerleaders in attendance for the finals of the tournament spread like wildfire and spectators gathered in huge numbers to watch the proceedings, on and off the field. The cheerleaders performed a special dance before the start of the finals.
“Their dance was appreciated by the crowd, amid resounding applause and chants for an encore. Even during the break, the cheerleaders would entertain the crowd with their dance performance,” said Arolkar. “The four cheerleaders and two dancers were an instant hit at the finals between Dhargal United and Goa police. The cheerleaders constantly entertained the people by dancing and pepping up the enormous crowd,” recalled Arolkar.
The Goa Police team emerged victorious in the finals, but Arolkar was delighted that his experiment with the cheerleaders had paid off well enough to draw in the huge crowd. “We were very pleased that over 4,000 people from all over Goa gathered to enjoy the match.”
The local fans were equally jubilant to find cheerleaders in attendance for the very first time in Dhargal. “It was a big attraction to have the Russian cheerleaders at the match. They entertained the crowd and also encouraged the players,” said a local spectator.
Meanwhile, there were some spectators who were not too pleased with the “star attractions” and instead, found them to be a distraction at the finals. “Some women spectators were not impressed with the skimpy attire of the Russian cheerleaders and a few of them left the finals midway,” admitted a spectator, who attended the event.
