As Katya Coelho prepares for second Asiad, she hopes for more govt support

PANAJI: Katya Coelho fell in love with the idea of wind foiling when she first saw athletes sail in Italy three years ago. So when her brother took to the new class, she couldn’t resist the temptation of giving it a try.
Last April, Katya trained in iQFoil, a windsurfing class selected by World Sailing to replace the RS:X for the Paris Olympics 2024, for the first time. She learned everything from her brother Dayne, a champion windsurfer, and father Donald, a three-time national champion, and in just nine months, became India’s top iQFoiler.
The 22-year-old has now qualified for the Asian Games in China later this year, the only Goan to confirm her spot for the continental championship.
“Balancing on a windsurf is tough, imagine doing it on a foil,” Katya told TOI on Tuesday. “Windsurfing is out of the Olympics and will be replaced by iQFoil (class), so I decided to try this out. I loved it, though it’s much more challenging than windsurfing. All that I learned was through my brother and father, without any (external) technical support.”
Katya, along with her brother, qualified for the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, but had little or no support from the state government in their quest for a medal. The duo did not receive the boards on time, while Katya picked up an injury that knocked her out midway into the championship. Now, she’s keen to make amends.
“It’s a completely different class, so I don’t really know what to expect at the Asian Games. I’ll try and do the best I can and prepare adequately. I’ve done well in the competitions that I have taken part in, even competing against men in combined races, but since I haven’t had enough international exposure or training, it’s an even bigger challenge,” said Katya.
Katya’s only international participation in iQFoil was in Thailand last September, where she picked up the silver against five competitors. Local athlete Chonchaya Junthonglang, considered among the rising athletes in the continent, won gold.
Katya also took part in two rounds of the Asian Games selections trials and won gold on both occasions, demonstrating more than once that she is the best in the category.
“She is doing well, even while competing against men. Her speed is nearly as close, and the board handling is also impressive. The problem is there are few technicalities and I am not an expert (in this class). Only if she gets good support can there be progress,” said her father, Donald.
Donald has shouldered all the financial responsibilities, spending lakhs of rupees to ensure that his children get proper training and equipment, so that they can match the best in the business. But he’s now growing tired of the lack of support.
“It’s not enough for me to keep telling her that she can make it (to the top). She has the talent, that’s without any doubt, but a lot still needs to be done. The two of them have been sailing since they were kids and need to be backed in their prime,” said Donald.
The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) included Dayne in the ‘Achieving Excellence in Sports at International Level’ scheme that has a grant of Rs 30 lakh. Donald, though, said he had to spend his own money and the state government still owes him almost Rs 15 lakh.
“Countries start preparing to win medals at least two or three years prior to the main competition, but here in the year of the Asian Games, we don’t know what our status is. Last time, we lost medals at the Asian Games because the boards were not delivered (on time). It’s a matter of pride that Katya is going to the Asiad for the second time. I just hope she is not made to suffer again,” said Donald.