Panaji: May has witnessed an unusual frenzy in Goan volleyball, particularly among former players. Two exhibition matches in Santa Cruz and Shirgal in Pernem taluka brought yesteryear stars back to the court, exercising, wrapping their knees in thick pads, and showcasing the skills that once kept fans awake at night. Though they are not as sharp as in their prime, their return is creating waves for nostalgia's sake.
Women's Volleyball Revival Gains Momentum
It is not just the men. The women have also reunited and started playing again. As one star player remarked, "Give us some more time, it has been 30 years since I last played." The absence was hardly noticeable when the women played two friendlies, the second one much more competitive than the earlier match in Santa Cruz.
Leading the women is Betty D'Silva, who in her teens was handpicked for the national camp to select the Indian volleyball team for the 1982 Asian Games. Even now, she can make players younger than her children watch in awe. Bina Naik, who would have made it to the Asiad but for an injury, is also part of the revival.
Formation of Goa Masters Women Volleyball Association
The women now aim to turn this revival into something more tangible. Led by Betty, the Goa Masters Women Volleyball Association (GMWVA) has been formed, and members have pledged to play their role in getting the sport back on track. Volleyball remains popular, especially in interior Goa, but it is nowhere near the love and admiration it enjoyed from fans until the late 1990s, when it was considered second only to football.
"We want to try and see if this new interest in volleyball can be used to help the sport in a meaningful manner," said Kennedy D'Silva, advisor to the GMWVA.
Goa Women's Volleyball Revival Day
For a start, the GMWVA, in collaboration with Santa Barbara SC, will organise the Goa Women's Volleyball Revival Day at Santa Barbara SC ground, Santa Cruz, on May 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The initiative seeks to revive and celebrate women's volleyball in Goa by bringing together multiple generations of players on a common platform.
"This event aims to reconnect former players with the sport while inspiring young girls to take up volleyball with passion and confidence," the association said in a statement on Friday.
The participants will include school and college players, working women, senior players who represented Goa at state, university, and national levels, as well as recreational players simply returning to the sport they love.
"Unlike conventional tournaments focused purely on competition, this revival event emphasises participation, fellowship, fitness, memories, mentorship, and sporting spirit. Four balanced teams will participate in a round-robin league format with short matches designed to ensure that every participant gets an opportunity to play through unlimited substitutions and mandatory rotation," said GMWVA.
The women have taken the lead. The men will not be far behind.
