PANJIM: The Geno Sports Awards 2017-18 were presented to the top individuals and teams, with Power Minister Nilesh Cabral expressing the need for the government to come up with total support for talented Goans to develop into high-class sportspersons.
The programme is an annual event organised by Sports Journalists Association of Goa (SJAG) with patronage from Geno Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Dayne Coelho, the winner of the ‘Best Sportsman’, has undoubtedly been the new icon in windsurfing for Goa and also Samira Abraham, the Triathlon champion being named the ‘Best Sportswoman’. The association official Nisha Madgaonkar received the award on behalf of Samira, who is based in Bengaluru.
‘Best Coach’ Kashinath Nayak has masterminded an excellent growth of sqay martial art team, which bagged the ‘Best State Team’ prize. Having Goan roots, Tanisha Crasto is very much from the State but being based in Dubai, this shining badminton star is shuttling to all parts of the country for National championships. The Best Emerging Talent of the Year, Tanisha is currently playing in the tournament in Lucknow and her award was collected by her father Clifford. Government College Quepem and Damodar College Margao topped girls and boys Goa University championships, and bagged ‘Best College’ awards.
Chief guest Nilesh Cabral, who is also a president of the State Chess and Sqay Associations, praised the award winners for their efforts. Chairman and Managing Director of Geno Pharmaceuticals, Dilip Salgaocar congratulated the awardees and urged them to continue working hard for higher glory.
Cabral motivated the youngsters to put in more focus on the task.
“Goa’s future is safe in your hands. It is more important to put high quality individual efforts and parental support is a must. PE teachers and coaches have to provide full backing to the students. On our part, the government has to support the youngsters financially once the child reaches a certain level. Then, there should be no worry for the player about participation. They need to focus only on winning laurels for the country and State,” said Cabral.
“While the government has built modern infrastructure in the State, proper follow-up has been lacking. As far as government (responsibility is concerned), we need to focus on policies to help youngsters reach high level goal. We need fresh ideas (collectively) and not just through Sports Minister or Director of Sports and Youth Affairs or Sports Authority of Goa. We need to have proper follow-up of infrastructure (whether it is put to use in an optimum manner),” stressed Cabral, who also promised to request Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to help in including Goa’s medal-machine in recent times, ‘sqay’, in National Games list of disciplines.
Geno Chairman, Dilip Salgaocar since last many years, has been advocating a government policy to financially support sportspersons. And he is still not happy that it has not been forthcoming. Salgaocar urged the government to bring in the necessary backing.
Best photo-journalist award was bagged by Arvind Tengse while Alfred Fernandes (HCN) was presented the newly-instituted best video-journalist award.
For the second year running, the best school and best HSS award could not be presented as the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs failed to compile the chart according to the teams’ performance in DSYA sports events.
Geno Executive Director, Dr Sagar Salgaocar was also present on the dais. SJAG president Niraj Prabhu welcomed the gathering while Secretary Mahesh Gaonkar proposed the vote of thanks.
Senior members of SJAG, Jovito Lopes (chief advisor) and Manguesh Borkar (treasurer) compered the glittering show.
