Panaji: The Goa Olympic Association (GOA) has strongly recommended the inclusion of Dayne Coelho in the Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2026, insisting that the Goan windsurfer deserves a chance given his outstanding record over 15 years and his recent international performances.Dayne finished on top among 11 competitors in men’s iQFOiL, winning four races and securing a net score of six points, at the Yachting Association of India’s Asian Games Selection Trial-II. His performances put him in number one position among Indian competitors. However, as per the performance pathway that has been set by the govt and Indian Olympic Association (IOA), windsurfers had to finish among the top six among Asian nations at designated international events to meet the final qualification benchmark.“His international record further supports his candidature,” Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade wrote to Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, a day after being elected unopposed as GOA president. “At the 2025 iQFOIL World Championship at Aarhus, Denmark, he recorded a best race finish of 15th in a fleet of 60 and finished fifth among the Asian competitors, demonstrating his competitiveness at the Asian level.”Tanavade also requested the sports ministry to consider Dayne’s case in the context of the actual Asian Games field and the applicable eligibility benchmark, after Singapore’s Elkan Oh put on record that he is withdrawing from the Games.“It is understood that Singapore’s Elkan Oh, whose ranking position has a bearing on the present benchmark, is not expected to participate in the Asian Games owing to military service commitments. We request that this position be formally verified, and that any ranking points from an Under-23 World Championship, if forming part of the relevant ranking calculation, be examined in accordance with the applicable Asian Games criteria,” said Tanavade.The Rajya Sabha MP’s email to the sports minister and IOA president PT Usha follows separate representation from Dayne Coelho, father and coach to the Coelho siblings, Dayne and Katya, whose name has already been approved by the sports ministry.Donald, a former national champion in windsurfing, said Dayne had to travel for almost 40 hours, due to the war situation in the West Asia, before arriving in Europe for the Princess Sofia Regatta 2026 and French Olympic Week.“There was inadequate time for acclimatisation, physical recovery and proper competition preparation,” said Donald. “These exceptional circumstances had a direct and adverse impact on his ability to perform at his normal benchmark.”Last year, however, Dayne ranked fifth among Asian competitors at the Aarhus World Championship 2025, a Grade 1 event held once every four years. His best race result was 15th out of 60, achieved after just a month of training under a foreign coach.“In view of Dayne’s current no. 1 standing in the YAI selection trials, international experience, Asian-level performance and competitive record, I respectfully request the Indian Olympic Association to consider his candidature on merit and in accordance with the prescribed govt eligibility criteria, and to ensure that his current performance and the actual competitive field are duly taken into account,” said Tanavade.The Indian contingent for the 20th Asian Games received the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ administrative and financial approval last week, with 492 athletes set to compete across 35 disciplines.The Games will be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4 in Japan.
