SANGUEM: Babu Gaonkar, the first Goan to win a gold medal in the National Games, was given a rousing welcome by the people of Sanguem with an impressive two-wheeler rally, with local MLA and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai leading it along with Olympic Gold Medalist Siya Sarude.
The rally was flagged off at Rivona and meandered through the villages of Molcornem, Uguem, Bhati, Villian, Wadem and culminated in Babu Gaonkar’s village of Neturlim. It also passed through the town of Sanguem. Babu was the first Goan to win a gold medal in the National Games, currently underway in Goa and he won this medal in modern Penthathon besides winning a silver medal in a track relay event.
Babu’s performance was much appreciated given the fact that it was achieved despite lack of proper facilities in Sanguem and it was only his tenacity and hard work that brought him the laurels.
Babu along with Sarude was welcomed by the local people at all major junctions in the taluka by garlanding them.
Incidentally, Siya Sarude from Bhati in Sanguem had won four medals, including two gold in powerlifting at the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany. Sarude name also found a mention at Sunday’s Maan Ki Baat programme addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
