the goan I network
PANAJI
The winning contingent of Special Olympics Goa, which returned from the World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, got a rousing welcome on their arrival at Dabolim airport on Saturday.
Goan athletes contributed 23 medals (5 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze) to the Indian tally of 368 medals, including 85 gold, at the March 14-21 Games, a new record for the country. The Indian team of 284 athletes also won 154 silver and 129 bronze medals during the marquee
event.
Among Goan athletes, roller skater Harshad Gaonkar shone the brightest with two gold medals in the 300m and 500m races. Sejal Nayer won an athletics gold in 200m run, while Rupesh Kallu Banpagol (judo) and Sabita Yadav (table tennis) were the other two gold winners from Goa.
The contingent was led by Victor R Vaz, National Sports Director, Special Olympics Bharat and also Head of the Mission, accompanied by 73 coaches. The welcome team led by Area Director, Vrushali Cardozo, the principals of the schools, teachers, and parents waited for the team to arrive at the airport. It was a joyous moment for the parents, teachers and the heads of the institutions to receive the medal winners
home.
Showing the brilliant performance, Indian powerlifters bagged the maximum number of medals- 20 gold, 33 silver and 43 bronze while Roller Skating team earned India 49 medals - 13 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze.
In cycling, the Indians won 11 gold, 14 silver and 20 bronze to total 45 medals, while the country’s track and field athletes returned with 39 medals - 5 gold, 24 silver and 10 bronze.
Vaz congratulated all the winners and thanked the parents for trusting their children with Special Olympics. He also thanked the schools for their cooperation. Vaz said a gathering to felicitate the participants will be
organised soon.
