Daijiworld Media Network - Nadiad
Nadiad, Aug 25: The Maharashtra Junior Girls team emerged champions at the National Youth Para Goalball Championship held in Nadiad, Gujarat, from August 20 to 23, 2026, winning the gold medal after overcoming teams from across the country.
The national championship featured 10 teams in the blind girls' category and 11 teams in the blind boys' category. Maharashtra's junior girls produced a strong campaign to finish at the top and lift the championship trophy.
The foundation for the team's success was laid in June, when a special training camp was organised on June 25. The Maharashtra State Championship and selection trials were subsequently held from June 26 to 28 at Sindhu Bhavan in Ulhasnagar, Thane district, to select the state squad.
The selection and preparation process received valuable support from former Ulhasnagar MLA Pappu Kalani, Naina Kalani, Kavita Lassi, Ulhasnagar corporator Manoj Lassi, Hoshiyar Singh, Mahesh Agarwal of Regency Group, Amardeep Singh of Ronak Advertising, Jashwant Mehta of the Eye Bank Coordination and Research Centre (EBCRC) and Rotary Club Thane.
Training was conducted across Maharashtra from June to August through the AIASHA Foundation - Sports Adventure for Differently Abled, led by Neha Nalin Pawaskar, in collaboration with the Para Blind Sports Association, Maharashtra.
The team's final practice camp was held at Balkalyan in Pune before the players travelled to Gujarat for the national championship.
Nilay Saroj Patil, CEO of AIASHA Foundation, congratulated the team and said it was immensely gratifying to see the dedicated efforts of Neha Nalin Pawaskar and her team in organising the state championships and training programme culminate in a gold medal at the national level.
The Maharashtra championship-winning squad was led by captain Ankita Gotawale of Alandi Blind Girls School, Pune, with Kalpana Kadam of Anam Prem, Ahilyanagar, serving as vice-captain.
The other members of the gold medal-winning team were Samruddhi Nalkar, Gracie Gavit, Devkanya Ingale and Yashasvi Survanshi, all from Kothrud Blind Girls School, Pune.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Maharashtra's young para athletes and highlights the growing opportunities and support available for visually impaired players in competitive sports.