The Goan tennis is all set for a big leap into the national and international level by raising the standard of sport in the State. The Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), with the help of Don Bosco, are on the way of organising free camps and training sessions for the budding talent who are in love with the sport and are aiming to scale heights in tennis.

With Don Bosco Highers Seconday School, Panjim, opening two new courts at its premises, the State is also on the way to fit itself with all the specifications set by All India Tennis Federation to organise a national and international tournament. The courts were opened with financial assistance from Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.

It may be noted that to organise a national or international tennis event there has to be a minimum of 4 courts within close range (four lit up synthetic courts). 

Besides Don Bosco HS there are six other courts in the state which include Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias (2), Cidade de Goa (2) and BPS, Margao (2). 

The government is also in the process to setting up courts at the Panjim Gymkhana, Campal and Indoor Stadium.

Goa State Tennis Association President Nathan Chowgule informed that the association in the process of getting the affiliation from the All India Tennis Association (AITA) so as to bring in national players in the State which could provide a boost to the budding players.

“The State association is already in the process of getting affiliation to the AITA. Even though the AITA is unable to make decisions we are working on it and our goal is to be with AITA. They have already recognised us and it is just a matter of time”, Nathan said.

Nathan appreciated the Don Bosco HS for opening the courts.

“I am very happy to see that the courts have come at Don Bosco, Panjim. I really like what Don Bosco does with sports. They promote so many sports. I am a sports enthusiast and really enjoy what Don Bosco is doing”.

He felt that the State will shortly be ready to organise big events since Goa has six courts in and around Panjim with some more expected to be built at Panjim Gymkhana, Campal.

“We are very much interested in doing so. The AITA has certain specifications (minimum of 4 courts) to organise a national or international tournaments. Now with two new courts coming up at Panjim Gymkhana besides two courts each at Don Bosco HS, Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias and Cidade de Goa, all within a very close range, it will give us an opportunity to do so”.

“We are in talks with the government for the last few years to get an area to put up a minimum of eight courts together so that we could hold national tournaments. Our goal in the association is to ensure the local talent gets an opportunity to play national players in the State itself instead of travelling out.”

“Travelling outside sometimes burdens the players. By organising tournaments in the state the local talent will improve their skill and their level of play. This is a very important target of the association to get enough courts in an area to host the national and international tournaments in Goa.”

“In fact lot of interest has been shown by some organisers of international and senior level tournaments to host their events in Goa but unfortunately we don’t have the minimum requirements as far as the courts are concerned. So the new courts are welcome as these will help up fulfil our dream,” he added.

Nathan says that if the government sets up their own courts (a minimum of six) with proper layering and floodlights then this would help them conduct tournaments earlier than expected since the criteria (of having courts in the close vicinity) would be fulfilled.

“There are lot of sports lovers in Goa who support such activities. Goa being a good destination you will find lot of players coming here to play the tournaments,” added the GSTA president. 

GSTA secretary Rajendra Godinho said, “the Don Bosco courts will be of great help as the association plans to start coaching classes for budding tennis talent.” 

“We have just got tar courts at the Don Bosco. First we need to get them transformed into synthetic turf with flood lights. We plan it to do within 3 months. 

“Once the courts are ready the association will begin coaching classes and since Don Bosco’s is centrally located we hope lots of kids will show interest in joining and making use of the facility to hone their skills”.

Tennis is being inducted into the school curriculum where students are given additional marks for taking part in sports activities.

Godinho felt the State tennis will progress from the schools which are now taking interest in sports given the advantage of gaining extra marks on their result sheets.

“The main thing for tennis to progress is to start from the school level. Since there are no courts it is not possible for the time being. Earlier, only those who were members of a particular club or who could afford to pay were able to practise or play the sport but now with the courts coming up at Don Bosco any tennis lover or young kid can get more involved into the game.”

“Even without proper infrastructure the GSTA has been doing its level best to help the Goan talent shine. The State has produced great players like Natasha, Vadhan Tarkar and Tejas Shevde which is an open example of the same,” Godinho said.

Godinho informed that the government has already marked the area at Campal for four courts.

“The government has already marked out a place next to Indoor Stadium, Campal to put up four courts and now it all depends on the next government to take the final call. This will definitely help the association to ask for national tournaments in the State”.

Now it appears that the ball is in the government’s court. The private bodies, like the Don Bosco’s have shown interest by coming up with two courts. If the government hastens with their plans of getting additional courts at Campal, the State will definitely see lot of national and international players on the courts instead of just coming to relax on a holiday.