Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Promoter of the avant-garde

In a trailblazing action, Taekwondo medallist Pandurang Chavan is doing his bit to give back to a society which has offered him unconditional support by imparting free Taekwondo training to youth in Vasco

VIKRAM NAYAK | AUGUST 19, 2017, 04:51 AM IST
Promoter of the avant-garde

Competitions are fought for various reasons - and this one was held for a noble cause - to improve life and health as well as to create friendship and harmony across the world. The recently held 3rd Heroes Taekwondo International Championship at Bangkok saw a 24-year youth from Vasco, Pandurang Chavan, emerge as the winner with a bronze medal to his credit. This young winner had a tough fight among the players of various clubs, universities and federations that participated from 10 Asian countries and few others across the globe.
Pandurang, a resident of Sasmolem Baina, was among the three participants who represented Goa in this international championship. "All three of us won medals," smiles Pandurang, adding, "I won the bronze while gold and silver medals were bagged by two brothers - P. Anand and Sarvannah Kumar from Ponda."
With no monetary support from family or government, Pandurang's victory means a lot. Working for Tushar Bhosle who offered him space to take up classes, Pandurang is humbled with the kind help received from Riyaz Kadri and Nazir Kadri.
"I had no money, but I had a strong urge to get there and win a medal. The trio, Tushar, Riyaz and Nazir appeared before me as angels supporting and sponsoring my trip expenses. I had only Rs 30,000 in my pocket while the total expenses for the participation were around Rs 80,000 but thanks to these three who stepped in instantly, shelling out Rs 50,000 , my dream came true," shares Pandurang who offers free training to enthusiastic learners who can't afford expensive Taekwondo lessons.
Pandurang narrates, "In fact, I called up Nazir just a few hours before flying to Thailand. He immediately got in touch with me and sponsored some money and also wished me luck. Nazir has been supporting me for the last four years. I had to win this tournament for these people who have great faith in me."
Pandurang has great aspirations and dreams, however, he is not financially well off to chase them. He has to struggle to surpass and surmount his financial crunch. "I have no godfather but my passion for Taekwondo is strong. I love this sport and am willing to push myself to any extent to achieve my goal," he says with determination. It was his strong will that compelled him to participate in Taekwondo championship and prove his worth internationally.
The son of a labourer, Pandurang survives on the meagre fees that he gets from his well-do-do students who learn Taekwondo as all other students are given free training.
"Nothing should stop poor kids from learning. Absence of money should not deprive them from taking Taekwondo training," he feels.
It is noteworthy that Pandurang has been active in Taekwondo for the last ten years. He declined to take up a government job two years ago. He recalls, "I was offered a job in the Army at BRO Kolhapur. But I was already coaching around 60 students from very poor background who were taking it free. My heart did not permit me to give up on them. My love for Taekwondo made me forget my own financial crises and continue my free classes."
Pandurang faced difficulty convincing his family about turning down the job offer, but all was well when his students won eight gold medals in the All Goa championship. "We pocketed 18 medals out of 20 in that year's championship, the joy of which overcame my personal crises," shares Pandurang.
For Pandurang, Taekwondo is a child's play. He fell in love with the game as a child. During the past three years he has trained over 100 students free of charge, many of whom have bagged medals. Most of his students have nothing to pay him but he takes three sections of coaching. Even on Sundays, one can find this 24-year-old on the beach training his students.
Pandurang used to take up classes in the open at Baina beach where one day Riyaz Kadri saw him training poor kids in the vicinity. Seeing this Riyaz offered him his hall to teach.
"This is how my journey as a coach began," smiles Pandurang who gained fame as a coach through his students. They participated in the International Cup held at New Delhi, winning India and Goa, six medals - two in gold, two in silver while one is bronze. Today, Pandurang has a registration of 200 students in Goa Federation. Out of these only a few pay fees. For the rest, the training is absolutely free.
"My goal is to register 1000 students in the Goa Federation," says Pandurang who has offers from schools across Goa to train their students. He charges no fees for his training, and earns no income, but travelling to various schools on bike incurs fuel expense. If the federation takes him up as their official coach, he can take up classes in every school in Mormugao without charging fee. Pandurang feels, it's his moral duty to teach free, though the charge in other places is roughly between Rs 1000-2000 per month which he is waiving off as he dreams of make the girls and boys in Goa experts in self-defence techniques.

Share this