MARGAO
Olympian and former India hockey star Joaquim Carvalho has expressed full support for Agnel Technical Education Complex, Verna, as it looks to enter the domestic hockey circuit in the near future.
Carvalho made these remarks at the Annual Sports Day of Fr Agnel Multipurpose High School, Agnel Ashram, Verna, held on Saturday.
Lauding the enthusiasm of parents and guardians for supporting the extracurricular activities at the institution, Carvalho emphasized his commitment to advancing the school’s initiative of establishing a hockey movement. He hopes this will ignite a passion for the sport in South Goa and eventually spread across the state.
Although Carvalho was born and raised in Mumbai, he hails from Assolna in South Goa and is a frequent visitor to Goa. One of the most decorated figures in Indian hockey, Carvalho represented India at major international events both as a player and a coach.
The Annual Sports Day also saw Carvalho honoured as the chief guest, alongside Maria Rodrigues, the current Headmistress of St Joseph Educational Institute, Chandor, and a former student of Fr Agnel’s School, who was the guest of honour.
Also present on the dais were Rev Fr Agnelo Gomes, Managing Director of Agnel Ashram; Rev Fr Isaac Fernandes, Manager of the school; Rev Fr Vicky Hilario, Assistant to the Director; and Hycinth Cardozo, former PE teacher at St Stanislaus School, Bandra, Mumbai.
The event kicked off with a march-past, followed by the lighting of the torch, athletic competitions, and a series of vibrant, well-coordinated drills performed by students from classes I to IX. The evening highlighted the impressive participation of all students, with each event and drill choreographed and trained by the school's staff. Conrad Mendes, Headmaster of the school, welcomed the attendees and presented a brief report on the school's activities.
