Ace swimmer Talasha Prabhu, Akanksha Salunke (Squash),Sushmeeta Vast (Diving) and Yash Padloskar (Shooting) were among those feted by the Sports Council of Vidya Vikas Mandal, Margao
The Goan Network
MARGAO
The Sports Council of Vidya Vikas Mandal, Margao organized a programme earlier in the week here to felicitate Goa's eminent sports personalties who had excelled at the national and international level.
Ace swimmer Talasha Prabhu, Akanksha Salunke (Squash), Sushmita Vast (Diving) and Yash Padloskar (Shooting) were honoured by the Sports Council of Vidya Vikas Mandal.
In a brief function attended by a decent gathering and anchored by Sports Editor of Prudent Media, the sports personalties expressed their feelings and experience in the game they excelled.
Talasha Prabhu, who has been the face of Goa in swmimming attributed her sucess to her coaches and parents who encouraged her and provided the moral support and sharpen her skill. She explained how she felt desperate on missing out in reprsenting India at the London Olympics. She started her career as SAG RCC trainee at a tender age and went on to become the Dempo brand ambassador winning 257 medals in the process during a glittering career.
Akansha Salunke has won many laurels in squash and was part of the Indian squad which won the gold medal at the recently held SAFF Games in Guwahati. Born to a navy officer,she incalcualted mental toughness to fight out of trouble.Her prime target is to qualify for the 2020 Olympics for which she will give her best. "We derived inspiration from greats like Jyostna and Deepika," said Akanksha.
Rifle shooting is a rare sport in the State but Goa won the bronze medal for the sport in the National Games due to the hard efforts of Yash Padloskar .Little known Padloskar has rubbed shoulders with India's shooting icons Gagan Narang and Abihnav Bhindra. Yash who started off in 2008 with a low ranking of 147, is currently ranked 13th in India. His rise to the game is phenomenal as he has been competing with all the big players of the country. Yash is training in Pune because the facilties availbale there and his mantra for success is not to lose hope and have patience to acheive success.
Sushmita Vasta has made her name in the national and international fields but the springboard athlete rued lack of facilities availbale for the sport. She strikes a wonderful balance in sport and academics. Vasta brought laurels to the State,the priorities are clear. She loves motor sports but not at the cost of studies
Vidya Vikas Sports Council which was formed this year has the aim to encourage the sports personlaties. Chairman Vikram Verlekar explained the idea behind forming the council. "We've formed this council with the only aim of encouraging and lifting the sportperson to excell in their particular disciplines. Imparting education was our prime motive as there is need to boost and support to sportspersons,"stated Verlekar.
Earlier the council feted physical education director and students of Vidya Vikas Academy, RMS Higher Secondary School, Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Econimics and GR Kare Law College who excelled in sports.
