PANJIM: Goa is keen to showcase four new sports — Logori, Pencak Silat, Sqay Martial Arts and Roll Ball – at the forthcoming 37th National Games to be held in Ocotober-November as the formal approval by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is awaited, stated Sports Minister Govind Gaude.
While, the green signal for the four new sports, is awaited but looks almost sure due to all-out Government’s back up, the cycling event will be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi which boasts of a velodrome, which is non-existent in Goa. Shooting will be at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range also in New Delhi, as this facility is also non-existent in Goa. Yoga and Malkhamb were part of the 36th National Games held in Gujarat last year, and could also be included for the Goa Games. The addition to the new four sports is awaited, added Gaude.
Oozing total confidence, the Sports Minister reiterated that the entire infrastructure for hosting the biggest National level sports extravaganza in Goa which will last about two weeks, is ready as of date as per the information submitted to him.
“We need to take up some touch up work, some maintenance work at some venues. The rest is ready. A new lawn tennis court was inaugurated yesterday in Margao and even the squash court is ready,” remarked Gaude.
A technical team from SAG will visit New Delhi in the first week of March to finalise the nitty-gritty of conducting the events in the National capital.
When told that Goa had finished 30th securing just five bronze medals in Gujarat and with Goa Olympic Association (GOA) preferring to be tight lipped on Goa’s medal prospects, Gaude placed the onus totally on the State Associations which have been asked to submit coaching plans by February 28.
“lt is the players who have to deliver finally. They need to perform. I know that the so called 21 or 25 days coaching camps undertaken by the State teams do not yield good results as there is hardly any room for a high degree of coordination and syncronisation in their athletic performance. As such, I have requested the Associations to upscale these to at least, minimum 90 days for selected players, even to the extent of going for residential camps and even securing the services of special coaches,” the Sports Minister said.
Special long-term camps are the need of the hour as we need to prepare the athletes physically and mentally stressing on the psychological aspect so that those representing the State give their blood and sweat on the field of play. The Government is ready to provide the necessary high level financial support provided there is a serious technical training programme which also lays emphasis on confidence building to earn medals,” asserted Gaude adding that the Government was ready to give full support to every Association and teams towards infrastructure and team-building exercise.
“Physical health promotes mental health besides overall health and with adequate counselling, one should work to earn a place in the team to achieve the dream of donning the prestigious colours for the State. The ultimate reward is medals which in the final analysis, bring total happiness, pride and glory to everyone. The players will have to strive for honour, displaying single-minded devotion of a very high order so as to achieve this objective. There is a need to raise the morale of every athlete, with the need to build proper mindset,” stressed the Sports Minister.
The SAG has never been strict with the performance of the Associations, which have only been mushrooming in quantity rather than quality. Most of them have no proper office and no administrative staff with mostly the Secretary or President running the show. Worse still, some Associations have not even been conducting the mandatory State championships and still obtaining grants for participation in the Nationals. And what about the Grassroots and Youth Development programmes, which are the backbone of development.
Gaude, when told about the prevailing scenario about the sports bodies, was not surprised. He was not happy at all. “I am not very happy with the working and performance of many Associations. There is politics. In such a scenario, how will the players be selected. It will be difficult to make proper assessment. Enough is enough. Things must change now. Look at the future of the sportspersons first. One should not be there just for position as sitting for pretty long period is detrimental in all respects. We have already imposed a ban with the cut-off age being 70 for the office-bearers of the Associations. They should not work for positions but results.”
“It has been mandatory for all Associations to submit proper utilisation certificates yearly with audited statement of accounts, renewal certificate from the Registrar of Societies (every five years) in order to obtain grants,” stated Gaude.
One will have to check if it is being properly and uniformly implemented and applicable as often the powerful and well connected flay it with impunity. There are some Associations which have undertaken amendments to their Constitution, but often these have not been rectified by the Registrar of Societies.
