Panjim Gymkhana, Goa’s first sporting complex created by late Dayanand Balkrishna Bandodkar (first Chief Minister of Goa, Daman & Diu) in 1963, is lining up for a wheel of change with new sports facilities, a new look and much more.
“The need for a state-of-the-art Sporting Complex was long felt and we started working on the same when our new Committee took over the reins in 2012,” stated President of Panjim Gymkhana Manoj Caculo.
The work is divided into three phases. The first phase, which includes swimming pool, badminton court, indoor game facilities (table tennis, pool, carrom, chess) besides two international standard dressing rooms, an umpire room, member pavilion and a restaurant, was inaugurated on January 26, by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
“Compared to what was earlier and what we see now there is a huge difference. The first phase of the project, which was completed within a record time of two years, is already open for sports enthusiasts,” informed Manoj.
“But the two floodlit tennis courts are unfortunately delayed due to some technical reasons and will be ready by March end,” he added.
In the second phase, facilities which will be added include – Gymnasium, Squash, Cards Room, Billiard Room and Halls.
“The plan for second phase is ready but our financial position weak as we don’t have a steady source of income. We are dependent on membership fees or some philanthropists’ acts from the well wishers from the society. But it should be ready by one year or so,” Manoj disclosed.
“The third phase will be the rooms for players, coaches etc who travel from outstation for a match. We have around 20 rooms.”
“And also the cricket ground, which we are looking at independently, will be completed in between the second and third phase that is in December 2018 approximately.”
“The ground, sanctioned by Goa Cricket Association, could not be completed and kept on hold due to sub judice matter between the Association and Board of Cricket Control in India. But now we have taken the work in our hand and hope to complete it as early as possible,” he added.
“We have begun work for two practice pitches besides the river side wherein classes will be held for the young budding cricket talent,” Manoj disclosed.
“More than 40 of our members representing Goa in Ranji Trophy have been neglected so far as such our emphasis now will also be on starting coaching classes in cricket for every age where in these ex-players can train them. Besides, we are also in touch with celebrity cricketers and coaches from all over the country,” he said.
It may be recalled that Bandodkar (popularly as ‘Bhausaheb’), a dedicated & inspired sportsman, on April 12, 1963 held a meeting at his Altinho residence after which Panjim Gymkhana was born.
A marshy land was filled by with soil from his Velgem mines and the pitch comprised of a matting surface. However, the original small building of Panjim Gymkhana was built in 1968.
In 1976, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) asked the State to host Ranji Trophy matches and offered a ‘turf pitch’ for the ground which was ready by 1978. It was then, that the wheels started to move.
Currently, there are a lot of famous tournaments being organised by Panjim Gymkhana for decades such as All Goa Table Tennis, Angley’s TT Team Championship, Bandodkar Trophy Cricket Tournament and Germania Trophy Inter School Cricket Tournament.
If you stroll down the lane you will see a lot of great Indian cricketers who have walked on this ground which include Prof Deodhar, one of India’s foremost cricket promoters, S K Wankhede, the ex-President of BCCI, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Chandu Borde, Poly Umrigar, Vijay Merchant, Dilip Sardesai, Farokh Engineer, Dilip Vengsarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Jaisimha, Eknath Solkar, Ashok Mankad and Sandip Patil and many more.
The master plan for the sports complex was conceptualised and designed by M/s Shashi Prabhu & Associates, Mumbai who are also famous for designing various sports complexes including Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Architect Bryan Soares worked on detailing the project and ensured impeccable implementation with supervision, etc. Engineer Niteen Sant is the structural consultant for the project.
Manoj appealed the sports enthusiasts to donate money for the gymkhana.
“There are couple of people who have donated fixed sums for the Gymkhana. One can also be a member by paying the membership fee namely Life Rs 1.5 lakh, Patron Rs 2 lakh and Donor Rs 2.5 lakh,” the president concluded.
