Brahmanand Sankhwalkar is an Indian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is widely regarded as one of the finest custodians produced by Goan football. He represented India at the international level during the 1970s and 1980s and captained the national side, in addition to having a long club career anchored in Goa.
| Full name | Brahmanand Shankar Sankhwalkar |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| State | Goa |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| National team | India |
| Role | Former captain of the India national football team |
Sankhwalkar emerged from Goa, a region with a deeply rooted football culture, and rose through domestic competition to become one of India's most reliable goalkeepers of his generation. His career coincided with a period in which Goan footballers began to feature prominently in the national set-up.
He played his club football primarily in Goa, turning out for leading sides in the state league and in the national-level Federation Cup and other domestic tournaments. He was associated with clubs including Salgaocar, where he spent a substantial part of his playing career.
Sankhwalkar earned national selection as goalkeeper for India and went on to wear the captain's armband. He was part of Indian squads that competed in continental tournaments and regional competitions during his playing years, representing the country in matches under the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
For his contribution to Indian football, Sankhwalkar was conferred the Arjuna Award by the Government of India, the country's principal honour for outstanding sporting achievement. After retirement, he remained associated with the development of football in Goa in administrative and mentoring capacities.
Sankhwalkar is remembered as a pioneer among Goan goalkeepers in the Indian national team and as a captain who led India during a transitional phase of the sport in the country. He is frequently cited in retrospectives of Indian football as a benchmark for goalkeeping in his era.