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Tanisha got hostile welcome in Goa as kid,now the Olympian is everyone’s daughter | Goa News

Tanisha got hostile welcome in Goa as kid,now the Olympian is everyone’s daughter | Goa News


Tanisha got hostile welcome in Goa as kid,now the Olympian is everyone’s daughter | Goa News

Panaji: When Tanisha Crasto arrived in Goa from Dubai to participate in state badminton tournaments for the first time in 2016, she was at the end of an extremely hostile reception.
Every time Tanisha, then just 13 years old, scored a point, local players and parents who had come together jeered her, while cheering points picked up by her opponents. “They had no personal animosity towards her, but the idea was to ensure that their own children win, and that she be heckled so much that she does not play next time,” said Sandeep Heble, former secretary, Goa Badminton Association.
Her uncle was so upset that he told the association that if this was how locals would react, Tanisha would leave Goa.However, her father, Clifford, looked at things differently. “Far from being upset, he said he understands the situation and wants Tanisha to grow and learn to play in such (hostile) situations,” said Heble. Clifford told him that these situations would make her stronger. “My dream is to make her a champion and for her to represent the country at the Olympics,” he told Heble.
Tanisha didn’t mind the jeers, and won every tournament she participated in in Goa. She then represented the state, won several national championships, and is now the first Goan to represent the country at the Olympics, the biggest sporting spectacle on earth.
“I always believed she would make it to the highest level,” Clifford told TOI on a phone call from Paris, where the entire family has travelled to to support his daughter. “My belief, her hard work, everything just fell into place. This is a reward for the amount of training she has undergone, the sacrifices she has made right from her school days, when she would train for six hours every day.”
When Tanisha—partnering the experienced Ashwini Ponnappa in women’s doubles—takes to the court in Paris on Saturday, she will become the 23rd ‘Goan’ to represent India at the Olympics. Significantly, the 21-year-old will be the only sportsperson to have represented Goa at national championships and then made it to the Olympics. No wonder her name is now on every Goan’s lips.
Born in Dubai, Tanisha moved to India in 2016 and has represented Goa since 2017, winning the junior and senior nationals multiple times. Her father, Clifford, was born in Margao, while her mother hails from Loutolim. The family has lived in Assolna and Chinchinim.
“We are happy that she has made it to the Olympics and it’s time to enjoy the moment. Making it to the Olympics is a big thing for all of us. She’s just 21. Until last year, her big hope was in mixed doubles, but with her partner getting injured, it seemed like the end. But destiny played a big role as she partnered with Ashwini, started winning, and eventually made it here,” said Clifford.
There is a 13-year age difference between Tanisha and Ponnappa, but with contrasting styles, the two have struck up a fantastic partnership. They have a tough draw in Paris, grouped with Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida (Japan), Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong (Republic of Korea) and Setyana Mapasa/Angela Wu (Australia). The top two will make it to the knockout stage.
Even though Tanisha is now everyone’s daughter in Goa, Clifford isn’t entirely pleased with his decision to have the shuttler represent Goa.
“I could just have pulled her out and others (states) would easily have accepted her,” said Clifford. “The support (from state govt) has been completely missing. They will wake up some day and start appreciating her talent. I have been told that govt supports other Goan athletes, but not Tanisha. When I needed assistance, there was nothing. Tanisha had to take part in tournaments at her own cost. I don’t want assistance after she wins something at the Olympics.”





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