rajesh@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Emir Brito, a student of Don Bosco High School, Panjim, Goa created history setting new State records in the 100mts, 200mts and Long Jump, in the Under-14 Boys category thus putting his name on the record books of the State at the just concluded 40th Mini, Secondary and Higher Secondary Sports Meet, conducted by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, at the Peddem Sports Complex recently.
“It felt great to break the record; I has been working hard for this,” said Emir speaking exclusively to Herald.
“I had been training in real earnest daily. I trained 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening,” informed the Std VIII student from Candolim.
As per officials of the Dept. this is a feat which has not been performed in the recent past and that too at the same meet.
“I give credit to all my coaches and my parents,” said Emir who is the son of Glenda and Erle Brito. His mother Glenda was a former athlete who represented the State.
Emir attributes his success to the primary coaching he has received during his development stages from Vrunda Vernekar, who started training him at the age of 11 years and took personal interest in his betterment.
He has also received training under the supervision of Departmental Coaches Patrick Soares and Karishma Nagvenkar. He currently trains at the RCC Campal Centre under Devi Gaonkar.
Emir was all praise for the Departmental Officer in charge of Athletics, Steffi Cardozo for all the help she has extended and also to Jt. Director Coaching, Bruno Coutinho for his support and encouragement.
Emir felt there was an urgent need for specific Sprinting and Long Jumping coaches from the department.
“If we want to see results at the National and International levels in the Worldwide Athletics scene, the sprinting and long jumping disciplines call for highly specialized training methods and equipment to be comparatively competitive,” said Emir.
Goa currently boasts of two World-Class athletics tracks which are of great importance in furthering good training techniques. However, the lack of specialized coaches renders these very expensive tracks useless as their full potential cannot be utilized.
Emir will be participating in the National School Athletics Championships in Kerala. He would be competing in the 100m, 200m and the Long Jump event which begins on January 29. “I am confident to of getting the first the place,” said Emir on an optimistic note.
There are 26 Goan athletes participating in the Championship with Emir (BIB 569), looking to make an impact in the National event.
Emir is multi-faceted and also loves music. He also plays Table Tennis and is a member of the school team, under the watchful training of his school coaches, Francis Raposo, Diego and teacher Melvida. Emir has also represented the State at the Nationals in the Rifle Shooting Discipline, at the young age of 10 years, under the training of Dept. Coach Vivek Pawar and Yogesh Padloskar.
Emir is very ambitious and looks to stand out on the global platform someday.
“I am looking to a set a world record in 100 mtrs and long jump. That is my ultimate dream to bring glory to our country and State,” said Emir on a very promising note.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Ramesh Tawadker, whilst addressing the athletes at the concluding ceremony of the state meet, pledged to help deserving sportspersons to achieve greater glory.
Emir has proved his mettle and now looks forward to being assisted through the appointment of specialized Sprinting and Long Jumping coaches.
