The Goan Network
Panaji
A 25-member Goa contingent, comprising 21 players (boys/girls) and four officials left for Lucknow on Tuesday evening from Margao to participate in the 4th National Judo Championships for Deaf, Dumb & Blind from February 18-22.
The team is being mentored by SAG judo coach Raghunath V Shintre (Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa). Players will participate in the Above 18+, Under 17 and Under 14 categories. Participants gathered at Sanjay School, Porvorim on Tuesday morning and met with the office-bearers of Goa Blind & Para Judo Association.
Those present were Guruprasad Pavaskar, Chariman of Sanjay Centre for Special Education, Tatu Kudalkar, Headmaster, association members - Sudesh Tivrekar, secretary, Linette Ferrao, member secretary, Umesh Tivrekar, executive member, Raghunath V Shintre, head coach, Sneha Jadhav, Asst coach, Royce Fernandes (team manager-boys) and Benedicta Miranda (team manager-girls).
Speaking to The Goan Everyday, coach Shintre said he was hopeful that the Goan contingent will bring home a rich haul of medals. "The boys and girls have worked very hard and I am sure they are confident of producing medal-winning performance. All that matters to me that despite being challenged, the boys and girls are extremely talented and are prepared to brave all odds," added Shintre.
Goa team (boys & girls):Above 18+: Aslam B Ganjanawar (48kg); Gaurish S Parab (65kg);Babita P Kashyap (39kg); Rupesh Banpagol (78kg);Nandan Golkudas Naik (49kg);Romaldo Joao de Souza (65kg); Alisha Laxmikant Dabolkar (40kg); Sanjil Parab (52.5kg). Under 17: Aquif Abdul Shaikh; Reeya Naik (33kg); Sonika Sawant (38kg); Krishna Sawant (49kg); Mahableshwar Mangeshkar (65kg); Rohit Kunkolkar (40kg). Under 14: Tasmiya Shaikh (46kg); Mitali Shirodkar (45.5kg);Vinita Shirodkar (45.5kg); Neeta Ramachandra Waghmode (42kg);Chinmai Salgaonkar (28kg); Ketan Kunkolkar (48.5kg); Jamaluddhin Ali (55kg).
