The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) commenced a two-day sports nutrition seminar for Under-12 and Under-15 cricketers on Tuesday, focusing on dietary awareness and performance among young athletes.
The sessions are being conducted by 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 and is also a Fit India Ambassador.
During the seminar, Cherian guided participants on appropriate dietary practices before, during and after training sessions. She also addressed the specific nutritional needs of young cricketers attending training camps, including the importance of planning meals, carrying essential food items and maintaining strength and conditioning through diet.
The programme included an interactive session with both players and parents, where queries related to nutrition, performance and growth were discussed. The initiative aimed to build awareness about structured eating habits and their role in athletic development at an early stage.
© GCA“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,” Cherian 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.
GCA President Mahesh Dessai described the seminar as an important step towards improving the overall development of young cricketers in the state.
“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,” Dessai said.
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