The sports landscape in Goa is constantly evolving with newer technologies and social media platforms offering innovative ways to connect with fans and grow the popularity of sports and events.
In the days gone by, the popularity of a sport or event was left to sports promoters who always came up with innovative marketing strategies and fan engagement.
At a time when technology continues to shape the way we experience and engage with sports and events in the future, it is time to remember some of Goa's well-known sports promoters.
Keeping this in mind, the Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) will felicitate outstanding sports promoters during its annual get-together at the BPS Sports Club, Margao, on Sunday April 7 at 11 am.
AWES is an association created by present and former players, coaches and administrators, created specifically to recognise, assist and bring together all those who have brought laurels to the state and country in the past.
Every year, AWES holds a get-together of veteran sports administrators, players, coaches and others. At this year’s get-together, officials who have promoted sports at the grassroots level will be felicitated.
Those who will be felicitated include Fr Luis Pinto, Marino Dias, M M Mutawalli, Agnelo Mascarenhas, Peter Barreto, Gonsalo Peixoto, Inacio Pinheiro, Tito D’Cunha, Francisco Nunes, Antonio Botelho, Micdomio (Micky) Rebelo, Greg Noronha, Agnelo L Fernandes, Agnelo G. Fernandes (all football), Lenny D’Gama (boxing), Redento D’Sousa, Benny Viegas, Alexandre Remedios, Fr Domnic Alvares (all hockey), Ramesh Dessai (kabaddi), Caesar Menezes (yachting), Kennedy D’Silva, Pearl Viegas, Pradeep Chodankar, Rosalia Xavier Barreto (all sports), Ulhas Verlekar (table tennis), Atanasio Antao (cycling), Luis Lima (kho kho), Narayan Kurade (mallakhamb), Bruno Pereira, Louis Pires (both volleyball), Anita Rodrigues (athletics), Zito Godinho (archery), Angela Abreu Naik, Raju Mangueshkar (both taekwondo) and Olencio Dias (basketball).
“Goa is blessed to have people who have selflessly worked towards the promotion of sports and it is our duty to recognise these officials. Had it not been for the efforts of those who worked at the grassroots level, Goa would not have produced sportspersons of repute,” said AWES president and former international footballer Derrick Pereira.