For the Goan hockey faithful, the ongoing Beijing Olympics holds some interest. Why? Well, why not. India may not have qualified for the quadrennial Games, but there will be Canadians of Goan origin vying for a medal in the Chinese capital. Not championing the Tri-colour, but the Maple Leaf of Canada.
The Indian factor, powered by the Goans and Punjabis mainly in and around Toronto, has done much for Canadian hockey in the last three decades.
Wayne Ferreira, 29 (157 caps) whose goal in the penalty shootout against Pan-American arch rivals Argentina booked his country a coveted place for Beijing is a key forward and so is the veteran Ken Pereira, 35 (265 caps).
If that’s not enough to do Goa proud, coach Louis Mendonca will mastermind the campaign at the Olympic Games where a finish of eight place or above will be a creditable achievement.
To add a touch of Indian national integration thousands of miles away from home, the Goenkars will have for company quite a few Punjab da Puttars — Ranjeev Deol, Ravi Kahlon, Bindi Kullar and Sukhwinder Singh.
Go (an) Canada! Let’s hear the chorus…
(Ahva D’souzaa, Errol D’cruz, Laxmi Negi, Misha Fernandes, Paul Fernandes,
Priyak Mitra, Sharmila Coutinho. Compiled by Valencia Mascarenhas)