GCA hosts sports nutrition seminar for young cricketers

PANAJI: The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) is organising a two-day sports nutrition seminar for Under-12 and Under-15 cricketers, which commenced on Tuesday.
The seminar was led by high-performance sports nutritionist Rashmi Cherian, a veteran of nearly two decades in the sports industry. Cherian serves as a fitness advisor for Special Olympics Asia Pacific, a Fit India Ambassador, and is associated with several other professional organisations. During the sessions, Cherian guided the young athletes on optimal dietary habits before, during, and after training. She specifically addressed the nutritional requirements for those attending camps, including what essentials to carry and how to manage strength and conditioning through diet. This was followed by an engaging and interactive discussion with players and parents, making the session both informative and impactful, thus encouraging young cricketers and emphasizing the importance of overall development.

“I thank the GCA for inviting me to this sports nutrition seminar. I am pleased that the GCA has taken the initiative to focus on nutrition, especially for younger children, as this is an area that is often overlooked. Our Indian children are talented, but their bodies can be weak due to varied dietary habits. Hence, it is vital to eat for performance rather than just for taste,” she said.
“This is the ideal age to reach these players and educate their parents. It is not simply about healthy or unhealthy eating; it is about understanding that if you are training for two to three hours in the morning, you must know how to fuel beforehand. Furthermore, as they are in a vital growth phase, their physical development is paramount,” she added.
The seminar proved to be a valuable initiative, focusing on key aspects of youth development in sports, thus reinforcing GCA’s commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting their growth both on and off the field.

GCA President Mahesh Dessai lauded the seminar as a significant step forward for the state’s budding cricketers. “This is a great initiative by the managing committee. I thank Secretary Tulsidas Shetye, Treasurer Abdul Majid, Vice President Pravesh Phadte, and Sharad Pednekar for their efforts. Rashmi Cherian has travelled from Bengaluru despite her busy schedule, and I thank her for providing our youngsters with a clear direction on nutrition,” he said.