PORVORIM
Three youth affiliated to ‘Porvorim Rising’ and mentored by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Saturday ran from Porvorim to Margao with the message ‘Stay Fit and Stay Safe.’
The three fitness enthusiasts, Ragvendra Pagi, Nelson Thomas and Basu, started from Porvorim at 4 am and took no break, completing their run at Margao Bus Stand in almost three hours.
This run was organised by Porvorim Rising in association with Unique Sports and Cultural Club.
Speaking to reporters at Porvorim, Ragvendra Pagi said they wanted to promote fitness mantra in their own way.
“It’s no more affordable to stay home to save from Covid-19. The time has come to stay fit and fight Corona. The idea was conceived among a group of friends to do something different so that the people are inspired.”
“The last time, a cycling trip was organised from Porvorim to Karwar. We finally concluded that we should display fitness by ourselves so that the people can be inspired.”
“My father was a football player and I am also an athlete and had represented my school and college. I am working with Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, who was basketball and cricket player and is president of Goa Boxing Association.”
“Encouraged by the MLA, I decided to take up this task and my colleagues also supported me in this endeavour. While ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ remained a mantra to keep Covid-19 infection away for almost a year now, it’s time to say ‘Stay Fit, Stay Safe,’ said Pagi.
Nelson Thomas said this run was organised by them to create awareness among youth to lead a healthy life by engaging in sports activities.
“During the Covid pandemic, youth were confined at home and they were passing their time on electronic gadgets, instead of doing exercise. Keeping busy on electronic gadgets constantly is extremely harmful for health and hence, youth should now forget the old slogan ‘Stay Home, Stay Fit’ and switch over to ‘Stay Fit, Stay Safe’,” said Thomas.
