From a National Games medallist to a mentor: Tracing Goa’s coach Nilesh Khanolkar’s boxing journey

Goa Khabar:Goan Boxing Coach, Nilesh Khanolkar is not just a coach, but also a national games medallist. Today, he’s coaching boxers for the ongoing 37^th National Games in Goa. He has been involved in the sport for over three decades, as a player, a coach, and a mentor. He has represented Goa in several national and has won a bronze medal at the 2002 National Games in Hyderabad. He has also trained many boxers who have brought laurels to the state at various levels.

Khanolkar’s passion for boxing began when he was a student at St Anthony High School in Guirim. He joined a summer camp in 1992 and was hooked to the sport. He participated in his first state championship in 1993 and won a gold medal and the best boxer title. He faced many challenges and hurdles along the way, but he never gave up on his dream. “I didn’t have much support from my family and friends. They wanted me to focus on my career, but I loved boxing and I wanted to make a career out of it. I was lucky to have boxing Veteran and ITO, Lenny D’Gama as my coach and mentor. He encouraged me and guided me throughout my journey,” Khanolkar said.

Khanolkar made his mark at the national level when he participated in the youth nationals in Delhi in 1994 and in Assam in 1995. He also competed in the National Games in Bangalore in 1996 and in Patiala in 2000, but could not reach the podium due to an injury. He finally achieved his dream of winning a medal at the National Games in Hyderabad in 2002, where he bagged a bronze and brought glory to Goa. “It was the most memorable moment of my life. I had worked hard for years and I was determined to win a medal. It was a proud moment for me and for Goa,” he recalled.

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Khanolkar joined the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) as a coach in 1999 and has been training men and women boxers ever since. He has also been coaching boxers at the ongoing 37^th National Games in Goa, where he hopes to see his protégés shine.

“I have trained many boxers who have won gold, silver and bronze medals in various categories. Some of them have also represented India at the national level. I am very happy to see them succeed and I feel proud of them. At the ongoing National Games, I believe that all the boxers who have qualified to the semi-finals have the potential to outperform their opponents. They have worked hard and they are ready to fight,” he said.

Khanolkar stressed that boxing is a technical sport and the chances of getting injured are limited if one knows how to protect oneself. “Boxing is not just about punching and getting punched. It is a sport that requires skill, speed, stamina, strategy, and discipline. Boxing is a sport for everyone. For those wanting to try out boxing I urge you to give it a try and then decide what to do,” he said.

For the sport to flourish in Goa, Khanolkar suggested that a club-like system should be developed, where each area has a club to promote and train boxers. He also feels that schools should encourage students to pursue boxing from a young age. “Boxing needs more exposure and support in Goa. We need more clubs to nurture the talent. We also need more competitions and events to showcase the talent. We need to create a culture of boxing in Goa, where people appreciate and respect the sport. We have a lot of potential in Goa and we can produce more champions in the future,” he said. He concluded by stating that Goa Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) have always been there guiding and supporting the sport and budding boxers in Goa.