Suzette Aranjo

MRS SUZETTE ARANJO

At the age of 8, I held the Basketball for the first time and since then under the guidance of Sir Katoch, Sir Vaz and Sir Hasrani. I have treasured many fond memories of the game that I at times reflect on till today.

To realise how hard work and dedication epitomized those moments of pride and glory, above all it was something far simpler – It brought a feeling of joy and happiness. Without much financial backing, the main motivators were my coaches as mentioned above and my brilliant team mates that make the memories so much more special. My family’s support was much influential as well.

At around the age of 8 as well, my son Shawn took his first steps towards the path of his Basketball career. He is 15 now and as I watch him in his games representing Don Bosco Goa, it brings a sense of pride.

However, as I have watched him grow and play over the years it does trouble me to see how far ahead some of the states in India are ahead of Goa where once before could compete neck to neck with any other. Time it may seem had caught up with us where as many of the Basketball playing states took the opportunity to catch on to time.

Today, I’m hopeful and sense a new lease of life in the Sport of Basketball, with the current GBA Committee headed by Fr. Ralin De Souza. The new spate of training camps and tournaments, systematically organised by GBA in the last 2 years, will surely help Goan Basketball reach new heights.

Let us pledge to achieve the objective where Goa and Goa’s budding basketballers are the winners.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Nationals

• Runners up at the All India Level in the year 1979-80.
• Third Place at All India Level in the year 1976.
• Second Place at West Zone Level in the year 1986.

Participation at National Level

• 3^rd Nationals Sports Festival held at Bangalore in November 1977.
• National Basketball Championship held at Bhilwara in July 1978.
• 31^st National Basketball Championship held at Indore in December 1980
• 31^st National Basketball Championship held at Jamshedpur in December 1980
• 32^nd Junior National Basketball (Girls) held at Margao in May 1981.
• 8^th National Sports Festival for women held by IX Asian Games Special Organising committee in 1982
• 9^th National Sports Festival for women held at Gandhinagar in November 1983.
• 10^th National Sports Championship for women held at Coimbatore, Madras in December 1985
• 38^th National Basketball Championship for women held in December 1987.
• 13^th National Basketball Championship for women held at Bihar in February 1989.
• 42^nd National Basketball Championship held at Kerala in January 1992.
• XLI National Basketball Championship for Junior Boys and Girls held at Indore in May 1990
• 40^th National Basketball Championship for Junior Boys and Girls held at Solapur in May 1989.