Sportspersons and some sports associations have reason to complain about unsportsmanlike behaviour from government units and organisations.
The Indoor Stadium at Campal and perhaps a few other stadiums will be closed till June 15 for the process of conducting panchayat election process and for storing of ballot boxes.
Young athletes, along with their parents, have also said that the State Election Commission (SEC) officials have shown complete disrespect to the sportspersons who aspire to represent Goa and make a career out of sports. They say the athletes or even regular members utilise these facilities on a daily basis and follow strict training regimes to play at optimum levels or to stay fit and healthy.
A parent Saish Kenkre, who was waiting outside the indoor stadium, told Herald, “The government should conduct these election procedures in some other complexes and not sports. Where will the sportspersons practise during these fifteen days which is quite long? I also heard that sports events had to be called off due this.”
Further it was also revealed that the Goa Badminton Association (GBA) had written to the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over the closure of Indoor Stadium, Campal and other sports complexes during the elections.
Heble further said that “Last time, the Campal stadium was closed for nearly two months and even after Assembly elections were over the Election Commission refused to hand it back.
Young sportspersons have also said that the same was done during the Goa Assembly elections wherein stadiums were used for lodging of personnel involved in elections. These stadiums’ facilities are not meant for that purpose, they said.
“The election commission has ample options other than sports stadiums. They should not occupy such sports facilities. I urge them not to utilise stadiums for election related reasons future,” said Taekwondo National Player, Anish Silimkhan.
Meanwhile, speaking to Herald, Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), Executive Director, Vassant M. Prabhudesai said “The SAG has requested the State Election Commission not to requisition the Indoor Stadium at Campal along with few other stadiums for the election process. Even during the Assembly Elections, sports facilities were taken up by the SEC and were used for lodging. These facilities are not meant for such activities.”
