Clement, Sharnifa bag honours in Macau

PANJIM, DEC 6
Goa’s Clement Francisco emerged 4th in half marathon in the men’s Category A at the 29th Macau International Marathon in Macau on December 5. 
Clement finished fourth in the half marathon (21kms) with a timing of 1 hour 17 minutes and stood seventh in the general category. He was awarded a trophy and a medal. Clement is an employee of Fire and Emergency Services, Goa. In all, 1265 athletes from 65 countries participated.
In the women’s section, Sharnifa D’Costa of Varca finished 5th with a timing of 1 hour 43 minutes and came 15th in the general category. Altogether, 279 athletes from 58 countries participated.  
Clement and Sharnifa were the only athletes to represent India in Macau.
President, Goa Olympic Association, Subhash Shirodkar, who was also present stated, “We need to focus on such athletes, so that they improve. This is an impressive performance by Goan athletes, for which every Goan should be proud of.”
Gurudatta Bhakta, general secretary, Goa Olympic Association, and vice-president, Goa Olympic Association, Girish Chodankar were also present.
Surprisingly, Girish, who is president of  Goa Kho Kho Association accompanied the 2-member athletic team as manager, when actually a qualified official from the field of athletics or Goa Athletic Association or an athletic coach ought to have been with the State team which was fully sponsored by SAG.