MARGAO
From the serene village of Varca in Salcete taluka to the fast-paced world of international sports, young physiotherapist Artura Domanda Da Costa has made a remarkable journey. This path reached a major milestone recently when she was appointed as the physiotherapist for the Indian national teams that achieved a historic double victory at the 1st Junior Roll Ball World Cup, held at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya, recently.
Both the Junior Boys’ and Girls’ teams emerged as champions, marking a proud moment for Indian sports. Working diligently behind the scenes, Artura played a crucial role in maintaining the health and performance of the athletes throughout the tournament.
Before the World Cup, a high-intensity training camp was held at Balewadi, Pune, from June 6 to 20. The teams trained under the watchful eyes of Coach Rajashekar V (Boys) and Coach Hemangini Kale (Girls), with Artura providing essential medical and physiotherapy support.
In the finals, India’s Junior Boys defeated Kenya 5-1, while the Junior Girls triumphed with a 5-0 win, showcasing dominance on the global stage.
Artura, an alumna of Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao, completed her Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy at Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sports Physiotherapy at the KLE Institute of Physiotherapy. She is the daughter of Thomas Antonio Da Costa and Liberata Brigida Da Costa, whom she credits as her greatest inspiration.
“It was an incredible honour to be part of such a historic event—the first-ever Junior Roll Ball World Cup. Supporting both teams and witnessing them lift the trophy was a proud and unforgettable moment,” Artura shared.
She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mentors: “I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Basavaraj Motimath and Dr. Dhaval Chivate for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and their constant guidance throughout.”
Artura is not just a physiotherapist—she is a recognized consultant sports physiotherapist and fitness expert, known for her work with athletes across multiple disciplines. Her role includes: Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement.
Artura is also the second woman from Goa to be appointed as a sports physiotherapist at a national or international level, following in the footsteps of Sona Miranda, who worked with Churchill Brothers and later with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. Sona eventually became the lead physiotherapist for Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Team in the Women’s Super League.
Reflecting on her journey, Artura said: “It’s a privilege to work with such a dedicated Indian team. I’m passionate about my work, especially in a country where healthcare standards are high and professionalism is recognized and respected. You are rewarded for your performance and treated as one of their own.”
“The journey has been tough, but also very sweet. All the credit goes to my parents for their phenomenal support—without them, none of this would have been possible,” she concluded.
