PANJIM: Goa’s premier windsurfer Katya Coelho will be leaving for Italy for a month-long training session with a foreign coach.
Katya will be accompanied by her brother Dayne and her father who will be her assistant coach. Katya and Dayne will be India’s representatives in the World Championship in Netherlands which will be held in August.
The training session in Italy will be an intense one with her father assisting the head coach. After the championship, Katya will return and then leave for China, two weeks prior to the Asian Games.
Speaking about her chances at the championship she said: “I will be competing in the IQ foil race with over 100 sailors. This will be the largest field I will be racing against. This will include Olympic champions as well as World champions. It will be a tough competition and it will be a good experience.”
When asked about her chances in the Asian Games, she said: “There will be a tough competition. I hope to do my level best. While the other countries spend two years preparing for the main event, I have to be content with a month-long training session abroad.”
Commenting on the forthcoming National Games to be held in Goa, Katya said: “I expect to win a gold medal in IQ foil race.”
Asked if any financial assistance was forthcoming from the Government, she said the files had been submitted. She would not comment beyond that. Those in the know on how the files move, know it is a time consuming affair, taking its own time given the bureaucratic approach.
