PANAJI: The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) organised a two-day sports nutrition seminar for Under-12 and Under-15 cricketers, which commenced on Tuesday in Panaji. The initiative aimed at educating young athletes and their parents on the importance of nutrition, fitness and overall development in sports.
The seminar was conducted by renowned high-performance sports nutritionist Rashmi Cherian, who brings nearly two decades of experience in the sports industry. Cherian currently serves as a fitness advisor for Special Olympics Asia Pacific, a Fit India Ambassador, and is associated with several professional sporting organisations across the country.
During the sessions, Cherian guided the young cricketers on the importance of balanced nutrition before, during and after training sessions. She also highlighted the dietary requirements for players attending cricket camps, advising them on essentials to carry and methods to maintain strength and conditioning through proper food habits.
The seminar also featured an interactive session involving players and parents, making the programme both engaging and educational. Discussions focused on the role of nutrition in athletic performance and physical development during the growing years.
Speaking during the seminar, Rashmi Cherian appreciated the GCA for taking the initiative to focus on sports nutrition for young athletes.
“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.
Cherian further stressed the importance of educating parents and children at an early age.
“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.
GCA President Mahesh Dessai lauded the initiative and thanked the association’s managing committee for organising the seminar.
“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.
The seminar reflected GCA’s continued commitment towards nurturing young cricketing talent in Goa by focusing not only on technical skills but also on physical fitness, health and overall well-being.
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