October 17, 2025

Panaji’s own Ravi Naik was more than a politician; he was a volleyball hero in Goa during the 1970s! Before stepping into politics, Naik was the heart and soul of Ponda’s famous Jawahar Club volleyball team. Known for his powerful smashes and fierce game, he represented Goa at the Senior National Volleyball Championship in 1976. “Ravi was one of the main players for Jawahar Club and didn’t play for any other team,” said Louis Pires, former Goa Volleyball Association (GCA) secretary and ex-player. “Jawahar had a strong side and they were as good as any other team in the state.” Alongside stars like Sharad Borkar and Daniel Rodrigues, Naik made Jawahar Club a force to reckon with. Volleyball was a hot ticket in Goa, attracting big crowds who cheered under floodlights. Players enjoyed celebrity status, and Naik carried his fame with pride. “He was a good volleyball player and prided himself for being a teetotaller. He always said to students, ‘others drink to celebrate if they win a match or drink after losing a game, but I have not touched a drink in my life’. When speaking to them, he always stressed the importance of discipline,” shared Gurunath Prabhu Khanolkar, former principal of PES College. However, Naik’s game wasn’t about fancy tricks. “His smashes were difficult to retrieve as he normally hit hard and deep,” recalled Irvin Soares, former GVA president. “If not for shoulder and back issues, he would have played for more years.” Unfortunately, injuries forced him away from the sport. But Ravi Naik’s love for volleyball didn’t stop there. Jovito Lopes, ex-GCA secretary, fondly remembers how Naik managed Jawahar Club’s trips to Panaji’s Senior Division Volleyball League matches, handling all travel arrangements. When the association struggled to fund junior teams for national events, Naik stepped in as a true hero. “There were no grants available (from state govt) for junior nationals. Ravi sponsored the first junior team. He said youngsters must be encouraged and asked me to make all the arrangements. He paid in cash,” Lopes revealed. From smashing the ball on the court to supporting young talent off it, Ravi Naik’s volleyball journey is a vibrant chapter in Goa’s sporting saga, mixing discipline, passion, and selfless support. Who knew a chief minister’s heart beat to the rhythm of volleyball?

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Tags: Ravi naik, Jawahar club, Goa volleyball, Senior national volleyball championship, Volleyball history, Sports sponsorship,