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MARGAO: Their plea to the Goa government for financial assistance to travel to Las Vegas, USA to participate in the World Power Lifting Championship might have received a cold shoulder from the powers that be. But that did not deter Prince Pereira, Cavelossim and his colleague Prasad Naik, a resident of Navelim to make it to the championship at Las Vegas and represent Team India with the blessings of their parents and monetary help for friends.
And, the duo did not disappoint their fans and followed up as they struck gold for India at the championship. In fact, both Prince and Prasad struck gold at Las Vegas in a big way, winning gold medals even as Team India won the World Power Lifting Championship with ease. While Prince won three gold medals and two bronze, Prasad bagged six gold.
The duo returned home on Sunday to a hero’s welcome at the Margao railway station, even as Benaulim legislator Caitu Silva, who welcomed the two power lifters, urged the government to give the duo suitable government jobs. “Both the players have made Goa and India proud. It was indeed sad that the government, which spends huge money on sports, did not support these two youngsters financially. Both the power lifters are well qualified and hence should be given jobs”, Caitu said.
A similar request was made by from South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson, Joe Dias and president of Goa Power Lifting Association Prashant Naik, who recalled that even Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had felt that youngsters like Prasad Naik should be there in the police force.
Both Prince and Prasad thanked their family, relatives and all those who supported them financially and morally to make it to the USA.
These two Goan lads had knocked the doors of the Goa government for financial assistance to represent India, but their request fell on deaf ears of the state’s Sports Ministry, which told them that there’s no provision to support the sportspersons in power lifting.
