Indian women cricketers will be facing South Africa today at the ICC Women’s World Cup and they have
been doing exceptionally well so far. However, besides an occasional Facebook
comment or post, there isn’t much awareness about the tournament.
Fainna Fernandes from Mapusa is not just a fan, but a
sportswoman herself. A footballer with the Sports Authority of India, she has
represented Goa at the first u-19 nationals in football and was the only female
footballer in her corporate football tournament. “We’ve had three editions of
the corporate tournament and I have been playing since the first edition. I was
the only women player in the entire tournament for the first two years. Last
year, two more girls joined the teams. There is no difference while playing the
game with boys. There is no mercy,” says Fainna with a smile.
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She further adds, “In Goa, every sport, regardless of who is
playing, is fully supported. Every player puts in their best efforts. The
stadium in Duler, Mapusa was generally packed when we used to play football and
now as a spectator I see the same houseful crowd, which is encouraging.”
Natasha Palha from Agassaim is currently making her name on the
international circuit in tennis. She spends most of her time either at a
training or tennis tournament. Recently back from the International Tennis
Federation Pro Circuit tournament in Uzbekistan, Natasha is relaxing in Goa.
Though tennis is followed by Goans, not many know about women playing tennis in
India. “I often get a very confused look when I tell them that I am an Indian.
People abroad are not aware that women in India play tennis. But the sport
receives a lot of appreciation in Goa; the corporate sponsorship that I
received gave me a great boost. I don’t think there is any difference between a
man and woman playing the game, you have to put in the same effort,” says
Natasha, who overcame hurdles of no proper training and infrastructure in the
state to reach a national and international level.
Yolanda de Sousa Kammermeier, former India Football Captain,
brought great laurels to Goa in her sporting days. Still keeping tabs on sports
through the television and newspapers, Yolanda shows the same enthusiasm she
had as a sportsperson. An artist now, she focuses her energy in painting sports
events like football and cricket within no time. “Honestly, I am not in touch
with sports right now. However, we had much more prominence or support in Goa
and India when we were playing. There was much more coverage for the women’s
football team as we were playing nationally. In Goa, the focus on sports is
mainly on cricket and football, regardless whether it is the men or women
playing. Other sports hardly get that much of weightage compared to these two
sports. Also, football and cricket for women came in late in the day, compared
to men’s and it will take a while for the enthusiasm to build up,” says
Yolanda.
“In
my sporting days, we loved to play the game and we were enthusiastic about
playing hockey too. It was just the pleasure of being in a team. Now, there are
all the more attractions to go to play with extra marks and great kits,” she
adds. Though Yolanda is in favour of Yoga in schools, she feels that other
sports, especially those that are part of the Olympics, should be encouraged in
Goa. “The selection of sports should be done well and those in which India can
excel in the Olympics should be encouraged. Sponsors should not go overboard
with games like Kabaddi and Kho Kho as they are only Indian games,” she says.
