Amidst the distressing news of the increasing number of daily Covid-19 deaths and surge in the number of infections comes refreshing news of two Goans being awarded the Padma Shri at this year’s Republic Day celebrations. Former India football goalkeeper and captain Brahmanand Shankhwalkar is among the Padma Shri awardees for this year, the fourth highest civilian honour in the country. This makes every sports lover in the state proud. Brahmanand is the first footballer to captain India and is now the first sportsperson from the state to be awarded the Padma Shri. This honour to one of Goa’s finest sportsmen is indeed an award for the football fraternity of the state. This award will obviously come as a big boost for sports in Goa and especially football which happens to be the state sport. Goan football has seen a slight downslide in the recent past. Other states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Bengal have been doing well in the sport. Shankwalkar has been selected for the prestigious award for his exploits on the field and service to the game much after retirement. This sends a strong message to the sportspersons who have represented the state and the country that one’s contribution to the respective sport need not come to an end after retirement from the game. Brahmanand Sankhwalkar who had a 25-year long career with more than 70 appearances for the country stood as a wall between the goalposts. He is at present the chairman of the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) and the award to him is a well-deserved one.
