MARGAO
Goan boxing evaluator Lenny D’Gama, the lone international technical official (ITO) from Asia at Tokyo Olympics, was felicitated at a function organised by Goa Amateur Boxing Association (GABA).
D'Gama was among seven ITOs who officiated in Tokyo.
The 67-year-old is an experienced technical official, who has decades of experience as a referee/judge. He has officiated at several world and continental championships. He was an evaluator at the Asian Championships in Dubai in May before he did duties in Tokyo.
D'Gama was honoured at the hands of Dempo Group of Companies chairman Shrinivas Dempo. Porvorim MLA and president of GABA, Rohan Khaunte and executive director of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), VM Prabhudessai also attended the function.
In his address, Dempo promised to render support to boxing in whatever way possible. “Dempo Group will do whatever possible to support GABA in terms of creating world-class boxing sportspersons. I would like to see some boxing potential candidates to take up Dempo’s Goodwill Ambassador Scheme,” Dempo said.
He further requested the government to focus on creating world-class boxers. “Our sports infrastructure is not being used by many. It is important to create many more Lenny D’Gamas to take forward his mission and his passion for the game of boxing,” he added.
He also stressed the point that everything cannot be equated with money and that has been demonstrated by Lenny. “We need to inculcate the habit in our kids to play a game, sports in some sense develops you to be a good human being,” Dempo said.
