Goemkarponn desk
MARGAO: Goa Veterans players Juliana Colaco and Roselin Bunyan won a Bronze medal in Women’s Doubles 65+ age group at the 45th Yonex Sunrise Indian Masters (Veteran) National Badminton championships.
The championship, organised by the Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India and in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Goa, concluded on Sunday in Navelim, Goa. The pair lost 21-12 21-12 to Savithri Mohan Raj, MAH, and Neera Parischa, UP, in the semi-finals to secure bronze for Goa.
Juliana Gurjao e Colaco is a retired former Deputy Director of Sports & Youth Affairs and an Ex-International Footballer (Captained the Indian Team) from 1978 to 1983. She has also played Hockey, Basketball, and Volleyball for Goa, besides being a former Civil Services Badminton Champion. Colaco also received the Bakshi Bhahdur Jivabadada State Sports Award in 1982 and the Yashadamini Purushkar in 2002 and is the current State champion in Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Both her parents were Badminton Champions in Tanzania.
Roseline Bunyan is an outstanding athlete who has won various medals and laurels in Masters athletics and is a State Ranked player in the Master’s age group. Colaco and Bunyan put up a strong performance in the tournament, showcasing their skills and teamwork on the court.
“The Indian Master’s Badminton championships witnessed some of the best veteran players in the country, and the victory of Goa Veterans players Juliana Colaco and Roselin Bunyan has brought great pride and recognition to Goa. The outstanding performance at the championship has brought home a bronze medal and established them as role models for other players, especially women. Their remarkable achievement is sure to bring many more women forward to keep playing the sport”, stated Sandeep Heble, the GBA Secretary.
