Panaji: Bina Naik Wagle sat through the entire event for a few hours and was asked to speak at the end, as chief guest for the Goa Women’s Volleyball Revival Day 2026 at Santa Barbara court, Santa Cruz.“You know, I’m terrible with public speaking,” Wagle, one of Goa’s best-known volleyball players, told TOI once the event concluded. “Some are gifted with the art of expression, I’m poor in that field.”If you’ve followed volleyball in Goa, chances are you have heard of Wagle, or Bina as she was known by her first name in the seventies and eighties. She remains Goa’s indisputable numero uno spiker since taking to volleyball in 1975. With a young Betty Sebastian by her side, she shouldered most of the burden at National championships and gave established teams a run for their money, even helping Goa make it to the quarterfinals of the 1980 National championships in Jabalpur.Wagle wasn’t alone for the Goa Women’s Volleyball Revival Day at Santa Cruz. There was Betty too, besides 70s and 80s heroes like Lumen Botelho and Conception Pereira. Asked to speak at the end, she was understandably hesitant, but contrary to what she personally believes, her words struck a chord.“I know this was not the best volleyball (action) that we saw but to see all of you’ll back on the court, for the love of volleyball, fills me with pride. With time and practice, things will definitely improve,” said Wagle.Nobody could have said it better.Organised by the Goa Masters Women Volleyball Association, the recently-held revival day was all about memories and camaraderie. With no competitions, no nationals, and no interest from the constantly-in-fight-mode, Goa Volleyball Association, the gathering of over 70 players – aged between 14 and 67 – showed there’s plenty of interest and appetite for the sport, whose popularity was once rivalled only by football.“This was not merely a sporting event but revival of memories, friendships, mentorship and hope for the future of women’s volleyball in Goa,” said Betty, another great, who’s now president of the Goa Masters Women Volleyball Association.Besides the legends, all of whom were felicitated, there were young schoolgirls, college players, working women, former state and national players and recreational returnees, who came from Agonda in the south to Pernem in the north.Despite returning to the court after ages, many discovered that the ‘touch’ had not deserted them.The organisers said this was only the beginning of a revival movement. On the menu there’s coaching programmes, volleyball training centres in four cities across the state, partnerships with clubs and govt organisations, besides exhibition matches that is bound to keep the interest alive.“We plan to conduct a coaches training programme later this year with international trainers from the United States,” said advisor Kennedy D’Silva. “The objective is to create a strong pool of qualified volleyball coaches capable of producing quality players and building long-term excellence in the sport.”Goa Guardians general manager Arup Soans, who attended the event, was pleasantly surprised with the interest from all quarters. The Goan franchise in the Prime Volleyball League is likely to organise an event of their own, once the team, semifinalists last season, assembles for pre-season at Don Bosco Oratory in the city, possibly in late October.“This event has been a truly special occasion,” said Samiksha Karmalkar Harji, a former state volleyball player. “It has brought all of us under one roof to celebrate the rich legacy of women’s volleyball in Goa. This event has reminded us that while generations may change, love for the game remains timeless.”
