MARGAO
The John Paul II Foundation for Sports successfully organized a one-day workshop on ‘Mentoring for Wholistic Development of Sportspersons’ today, as part of the Jubilee Year 2025 celebration in the Archdiocese of Goa bringing together coaches, physical educators and sports professionals to discuss the critical role of mentorship in shaping young athletes and the many teams in the state.
The workshop was held at Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar and featured insightful sessions by distinguished speakers, who shared their expertise on fostering personal, ethical and professional growth among sportspersons. The event provided a platform for interactive discussions on the challenges and best practices in mentoring through case studies especially in connection with the ISL from its inception emphasizing values-based education and holistic development as the need of the hour.
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation ceremony, where several coaches and resource personnel were honored for their outstanding contributions to the field of sports and mentorship including Dronacharya Awardee Armando Colaco, Savio Madeira, Jovito Lopes, Marcus Mergulhao, Maymol Rocky , Anthony John D’Costa and Mario Aguiar.
Their dedication which has played a vital role in nurturing talent and instilling sportsmanship among athletes was recognised through the awards presentation.
Speaking on the occasion, Kennedy Dsilva, Director of the John Paul II Foundation for Sports, emphasized the importance of mentorship beyond skill development, stating, “A true mentor not only trains athletes for success in the game but also guides them towards success in life. Our goal is to build a strong mentoring culture in sports to create responsible and resilient sportspersons.”
The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from around 140 Physical Education professionals, sports coaches, referees and Physical Education students from Don Bosco College, reaffirming the commitment to fostering a strong mentorship ecosystem in sports in the state.
