Nikhat Zareen (Telengana) winner 54 Kg category. Also World Jr. Champion
Yesterday on Thursday, 30th of July, starting at 4.00 pm, I attended the Women Boxing tournament conducted by Goa Boxing Association at Peddem Boxing Hall, Mapusa. It was also attended by a good number of Boxing fans, the well-known Goan political personality Mrs. Victoria Fernandes affectionately called as Mummy was the Chief Guest. She was the former President of this association while Mr. Rohan Kaunte the MLA is the current President. The amount of love and respect she enjoyed in this association was reflected on the very affectionate gesture the members of this association shown by celebrating her 80th Birthday by Birthday Cake Cutting and singing the song “Happy Birthday Mummy”.
Trophies and Medals for the contestants
It was a very touching gesture for the lady who served Goa for a long time. Though she was not a Boxer herself physically yet her fight during the Opinion Poll for the cause of Goa was surely like a fierce critical last round bout that brought glory to Goa and Goans. Besides she fought so many other bouts on political fields for the cause of Goa, Konkani language and other matters related to Goa. A very good orator she is a very courageous woman of whose type Goa has not produced another and will not easily produce in the future.
One of the bouts
The Chief organizer of the event Lenny D’Gama spared nothing to conclude the competition so successfully and that too to the satisfaction of every participant, every local official and those coming from beyond Goa borders and every attendee. Mr. Lenny D’Gama hailing from Saligao Bardez is a well – known figure in the field of Boxing and enjoying a good rapport and respect in the Boxing fraternity of India. He also compeered the proceedings yesterday with his mellifluent tongue and with a very good boxing vocabulary. He is a great asset for the promotion of Boxing in Goa.
Another bouts
Besides Mr. Lenny D’Gama there were others also to support him like the Chief Coach Mr. E. Chiranjivi a very affable person and many more. Mr. Lenny D’Gama is one of the current vice-presidents of this association while Mr. Philip Dias is the other vice president.
Lenny D'Gama seen at right
Philip Dias a well-known personality from Calangute played a pivotal role in organizing this competition. His public relations were excellent and he made every attendee at ease.
Goa group
The contestants in this contest were not only from Goa but also from other parts of India, namely Delhi, Telengana and Madya Pradesh. Some of the young girls donned the Gloves for India and acquired laurels for them at global level.
Mummy cutting the birthday cake
While in Kuwait for a long period, I never missed any fight of Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, Jorge Foreman and other world renowned boxers. I have unique distinction of reading every recognized book on Mohammed Ali including his own "The Greatest", so also watching video cassette of his every fight. What a great Boxer he was!! Will this planet produce another Boxer like him? I doubt very much because such personalities come to this planet only once in centuries. I was fortunate to see his every fight of course on TV. In his retirement the popularity of Boxing globally is gone down and only a Boxer of his caliber can revive it.
Mummy presenting a Memento to Philip Dias
Philip Dias seen speaking on Mummy's birthday
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.