PANAJI
For the first time ever, a full-fledged team from Goa competed at the National Ice Skating Championship 2025, held in Dehradun from June 25–28. Representing Skate de Goa, the team showcased incredible grit as they took to the ice—a surface completely unfamiliar to most athletes from the coastal state.
Led by certified coaches Rajat Irkal (NIS), Raj Panandiker, and Triyananda Amonkar, the team included young athletes:
Saisha Pawar (10), Sia Quadros Pereira (13) and Kirtan Kiran Nayar (14), who was also Goa’s lone representative at last year’s edition.
Though the team primarily trains in roller speed skating and roll ball, this leap to ice speed skating was both bold and ambitious. Despite challenges—ranging from costly rental skates and emergency gear purchases to unpredictable food and lodging—the team delivered exceptional performances, coming close to Top 10 finishes in their respective categories.
This initiative was made possible under the guidance of Tapan Acharya, and with the support of Amitabh Sharma, President of the Ice Skating Association of India and Member of the Executive Council of the Indian Olympic Association.
“We had never trained on ice before. From roller tracks to frozen floors our athletes proved that passion outweighs limitation,” said Coach Rajat Irkal.
With this remarkable entry, Skate de Goa proudly launches its Ice Speed Division, continuing its mission to foster multi-disciplinary skating excellence in the state.
