National windsurfing champion Katya Coelho has achieved another milestone, becoming only the second Goan sportsperson to have a dedicated chapter in a Konkani school textbook. The new Class VIII textbook, introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP), features Coelho’s journey alongside Goa football legend Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, highlighting the state’s sporting achievements for students.The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) said the inclusion was part of its effort to familiarise students with local heroes and inspire them through stories rooted in Goa’s culture and history. According to SCERT Director Meghana Shetgaonkar, around 150 teachers and academicians spent two years developing 41 new textbooks from Classes I to VIII, many of them created from scratch to align with the NEP.The chapter traces Coelho’s remarkable journey from learning windsurfing at the age of 11 under the guidance of her father, Donald Coelho, to becoming one of India’s most accomplished sailors. It highlights her numerous national titles, participation as India’s only female sailor at the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, and her success at the Asian level, where she became the first Indian to win an iQFoil silver medal.SCERT’s Konkani content development convenor, Anil Samant, said the team personally interviewed Coelho to ensure the chapter accurately reflected her achievements and experiences.The textbook is part of a broader initiative to incorporate more Goa-centric content into school education. Besides Coelho, the Class VIII Konkani book also includes a chapter on Padma Shri awardee and renowned Goan folk researcher Vinayak Khedekar. Other newly introduced textbooks highlight Goa freedom fighter Bala Raya Mhapari, vocalist Jitendra Abhisheki, the famous Mancurad mango, and the traditional cucumber feast at Talaulim.Officials believe these additions will help students develop a stronger connection with Goa’s rich cultural heritage while drawing inspiration from personalities who have excelled in sports, arts and public life.
