23 Sep 2022  |   06:49am IST

‘We want results. No excuses’

State Sports Minister claims at send-off that function full support has been rendered to the National Games contingent
‘We want results. No excuses’

Team Herald


PANJIM: The Goa contingent for the National Games in Gujarat from September 27 to October 10 was accorded a send-off at a special program at the Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias, Miramar, on Thursday.  

The state athletes/sportspersons will participate in athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling, football, gymnastics, judo, kabaddi,  mallakhamb, athletics, triathlon and wushu.

Sports Minister Govind Gaude, Union Minister and Goa Olympic Association (GOA) President Shripad Naik and Secretary General Gurudatta Bhakta, Secretary Sports Ajit Roy, SAG Executive Director Ajay Gaude and Chef De Mission Anagha Warlikar graced the occasion and distributed kits to the participating teams and athletes and officials. 

Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho and International wind-surfer Katya Coelho joined the dignitaries in unveiling the official Goa jerseys for the National Games 2022.

"Due to the efforts of our government led by visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has bounced back in all sectors including sports," said Shripad Naik. 

He also went on to declare cash prizes on behalf of GOA for medallists at the upcoming National Games with Rs 30,000 for winning a gold medal, Rs 20,000 for silver and Rs 15,000 for winning bronze.

Sports Minister, Govind Gaude emphasised that he doesn't want players to give any excuse of lack of support from the government as it used to happen in the past.

"We are going to render every support at any cost. But, for that we want the result. We can see from the confidence reflected on the faces of our sportspersons that we are going to get the laurels," said Gaude.

Ajit Roy, IAS, analysed the performance of Goa from the past and believes that Goa can spring a surprise.

"We have to make this National Games very special. We are going to take part in 13 disciplines and please make sure that you come back with 13 gold medals. That should be our target," said Roy.

Ajay Gaude revealed the cost of the contigents kitting, travel grants, participation fees and ceremonial kits came to Rs 68 Lakh. The expenses, he said, would be borne by the Government of Goa, he added.

Bhakta hailed the arrival of Govind Gaude on the Goan sports scenario, saying the Sports Minister with his commanding style had brought much-needed energy into the field.

On the occasion, Chetan Kavlekar (archery), Irvin Soares and Raghuvir Shinde (boxing) who were allotted assignments at the Games by their respective Federations, and Sandhya Palikar who was recently elected as President of the Modern Pentathlon Federation of India were felicitated by the dignitaries.


IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar