PANJIM: For Margao born eight-year-old twins, Rachel and Troy, now in Dubai, the happiest and memorable moments arrived after the serious, regular practices coupled with proper exposure at official competitions at the right time, resulted in an unprecedented achievement of 12 medals in all at three tough apex swimming competitions in Dubai, recently.
The Dias-twins tested their prowess at recognised, official events – All-Stars swimming competition, Hamilton Aquatics Competition, Swim Champions Academy inter-club competition, inter-academy competition by Dolphins Sports Academy, Open Sea swim Competition at La Mer and Adventure Swim Competition in Al Ain organized by Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Troy won 2 gold, three silver and one bronze while his sister Rachel grabbed two gold, three silver and a bronze. It made their parents Terence, who was a cricket player in Goa and now works with Emirates Airlines in Dubai, and their mother Remy Rodrigues, a school leader in Dubai, ecstatic and also proud, not so much for grabbing medals, but more so for the fact that their children were on the right path for growth and development in the ultimate analysis. It will certainly be one of those most memorable moments, a feeling that would be relished and enjoyed.
Analysing the happiness, Remy, said that she was grateful to the swimming coaches, the Physical Education Department of the school, besides the Dubai School Games and Dubai Sports Council and others for providing the right opportunities to showcase the children’s sports skills.
Rachel and Troy, Year Three students of Dubai Scholars Private School, dabble in various sports. They started swimming when five-and-a-half years-old, and it was at that time their parents found that they had a knack for sports. The following year they were introduced to karate. As they grew, their interest in sports diversified. Rachel took interest in lawn tennis and Troy got hooked to cricket. Troy likes athletics and chess too. Both love football. Rachel enjoys playing basketball too.
After turning seven-and-a half they began participating in swimming, karate and athletics. Their first win was a bronze each at the International Super Cup Karate Championship. And then they participated in various swimming competitions in Dubai where they won medals. Troy enjoys running and has participated in many running events.
Rachel and Troy follow a strict practice schedule for all their sports activities on a daily basis. After school, they have lunch, rest with a story book and then practise swimming for an hour for four days a week. After taking a break of two hours, Troy practises cricket and Rachel practises lawn tennis thrice a week. Other days it’s karate and athletics or exploring new interests like cooking, art, clay modelling etc.
Rachel and Troy have a high protein diet with fish, chicken and eggs and lots of fluids. They sleep early and wake up early. On evenings when there is no practice, they sleep at 7.30 and always wake up at 5.15 to get ready for the school day, which is from 7 to 2.15. Their basic routine is school, reading, sports activity, iPad time, sports activity, prayers/bath, nutritious food, lots of water and sufficient rest. They rarely watch TV but have daily iPad time of 45 minutes.
Rachel and Troy have also won a bronze each at international super cup karate championships in January 2023, bronze in UAE karate championship in December 2022. Troy claimed a bronze in the 3km run at Meydan track, gold medal at the Run for Reading organized by Government of Dubai and also at Fundraising Run for Children amputees of Turkey organised by Turkish Business Council.
Rachel is a budding tennis player who is training four days a week in lawn tennis. Troy is a budding cricketer and he trains four days a week. Both swim regularly for three days a week. They are always on the move for various sports meets.
Progress depends to a large extent on grassroots. The ages of 6 to 12 form the golden age of learning for young boys and girls with the parents having a crucial role to play in its organisation and operation. It is during these ages, that kids need to look at physical activity to build strength, stamina, coordination, confidence which is paramount to also lay the groundwork for a healthy life style.
Terence and Remy, who have roots in Margao, deserve a special pat on their backs as they managed to limit time spent by their children on sedentary activities such as watching TV, using electronic devices, being online, playing video games. It is worthy to note that they concentrated on cognitive development – physical, mental, emotional and social. Kudos to them as they stressed on the foundation period of life which is a period of slow growth but rapid development.
Parents must concentrate on grassroots, said Remy as it is a vehicle for personal and sporting development. It offers educational, health, social, sporting values and above all, it is a foundation on which the elite game can thrive, she stressed.
Children in the age group 6 to 12, must get at least one hour of moderate to strong physical activity daily. Encouraging children for participation is very important as part of integration of social skills. As such, the roots of any game must not be allowed to wither, they must be continuously watered, pointed out the parents.
Both, Terence as well as Remy, whenever they are not working support the twins. “It’s a hard slog. It is nearly impossible to take a holiday together that will fit around their sports schedule. As parents of sporty children, we have given them a broad base in a variety of activities before they single one out in which they want to specialise, concluded Remy, adding: ” As parents, we want them to choose any sport and make Goa proud, India proud and be true global citizens of the world.”
