Brahmanand Sankhwalkar

Brahmanand Sagoon Kamat Sankhwalkar (born 6 March 1954) is an Indian former footballer and a captain of the Indian team from 1983 to 1986, who played as a goalkeeper. Considered one of India's best goalkeepers, he had 25-year playing career. He played for Panvel Sports Club, Salgaocar, Churchill Brothers, Anderson Mariners at the club level, that included 17 years with Salgaocar, and for Goa state team in the Santosh Trophy. Playing for Goa, he led the team to two consecutive wins at the Santosh Trophy; in 1983 and 1984. Having maintained a clean sheet of 576 minutes in the 1984 tournament, he holds the Indian record.

Childhood and early career Sankhwalkar was born on 6 March 1954, in Taleigão, Portuguese Goa. He inherited the love for football at a young age from his father Seguna Sankhwalkar and their family doctor Alvaro Pinto, with the latter telling Sankhwalkar stories about famous goalkeepers and showing him the basic football techniques. He played as forward during his school days. His elder brother Vallabh, a footballer played at the local Panvel Sports Club. In the process, it became the first Goan club to reach the finals of a Federation Cup. The following year, the team won the Sait Nagjee Trophy beating Mohammedan S.C. in the final. Goa lost 1–2 to Bengal in the semifinal. With the team, he reached his first Santosh Trophy final in 1979, when Goa lost to Bengal 0–1.

Stint at Churchill Brothers and retirement After a career of 17 years with Salgaocar, Sankhwalkar was signed by Churchill Brothers. Following a four-year stint with the club, he played for his village club, Anderson Mariners till 1995. He retired from professional football in 1995, after a 25-year career. He finished his international career with over 50 caps.

Later life Following his career as a player, Sankhwalkar completed the AFC A, B & C license exams to qualify as a coach.

In 1997, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the government of India recognizing his contribution to Indian football. In the process, he became the first Goan footballer to win the award. Sankhwalkar later served as chief mentor of the Sesa Football Academy of Goa.

Honours Panvel Bandodkar Gold Trophy: 1974 Salgaocar Goa First Division: 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1990–91 Federation Cup: 1988, 1989; runner-up: 1987, 1990 Rovers Cup: 1989–90; runner-up: 1985 Bordoloi Trophy runner-up: 1985 Sait Nagjee Football Tournament: 1988; runner-up: 1985, 1989 Bandodkar Gold Trophy: 1981, 1988, 1992; runner-up: 1970, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1990 Puttiah Memorial Trophy: 1978; runner-up: 1977

Goa Santosh Trophy: 1982–83, 1983–84

India Afghanistan Republic Day Cup third place: 1976, 1977 King's Cup third place: 1977

Individual Arjuna Award: 1997

AIFF Player of the Decade: 1985–95 Featured in Limca Book of Records of 1993 edition for contributions to football