PANJIM: The ‘Khelo India’ facility at the indoor stadium at Campal-Panjim, is expected to be shifted to Peddem indoor stadium, soon from next academic year, according to official sources.
The official said the decision has been taken due to shortage of accommodation for the athletes at Campal, which was not adequate due to the increase in the number of athletes which now stood at around 130 athletes including both resident and non-resident athletes.
The official hinted that the existing number of athletes was expected to increase in the new academic year. Peddem indoor Stadium, it was informed had better field of play (FoP), where athletes could get a better stadium, and other activities. The stadium in Panjim, he said, provided training in badminton, table tennis and swimming. However, swimming discipline would continue at both – Panjim and Peddem.
The shift to Peddem stadium was mainly due to the problems with the accommodation of athletes and all the students would be shifted to schools in Peddem. He revealed all the students were studying in Konkani medium schools and everyone had adjusted well and passed exams.
In Peddem, there was a Khelo India Centre which also included hockey, boxing and athletics. With the sports science facility shifting it was expected to benefit the Goan athletes training in these sports.
Speaking about the presence of Goan athletes, who are approximately 60-70 per cent of all athletes at the ‘Khelo India’ facility, the official said they had improved a lot and their performance in many championships were a testament to that.
According to him, in several national championships, the Goan athletes performed well and came close to winning medals in junior and sub- junior categories. In table tennis, Goa won medals at the school nationals and in swimming, the State athletes too claimed medals in school nationals. In badminton, Goa won a medal in sub-junior in the national championship.
Gradually, performances were improving, but to win medals at the nationals would take time. Overall, he revealed Goan and non Goan athletes were improving. The standard at the school nationals was impressive and the wins by the Goan athletes showed they had the talent to go far.