MARGAO: Goa’s very own sailing champion Katya Coelho along with captain of Indian hockey men’s team Harmanpreet Singh presented the torch of the National Games to the PM Narendra Modi on Thursday.
It was quite a sight at the stadium yesterday as one gymnast sailed smoothly through the air whilst attached to a balloon. She handled herself confidently and passed the flame to Katya and Haranpreet.
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The duo ran across the ground and climbed up the stairs and delivered it to the PM. Speaking later to
O Heraldo she said, “The PM smiled and greeted us. I felt it was an honour for me and for Goa to be selected for carrying the torch.”
It has been a troubling few months for Katya. She was selected for the recently concluded Asian games to represent the country in the iqFoil category.
Katya was top of that list in the women’s category after she took part in three rounds of the Asian Games selection trials and won gold on all three occasions in the iQFoil category. Kit measurements were taken, and even training was sanctioned in China.
Then mysteriously her name disappeared from the final list of athletes sanctioned by the government. Despite assurances by people in the State that they were looking at this issue, nothing really could be done and the contingent left for China without her.
