Team Herald
PANJIM: Three years after it was shut for renovation, the swimming pool at the Manohar Parrikar Sports Complex in Campal was reopened on Friday.
However, State Minister of Sports, Govind Gaude, who presided over the reopening ceremony, toned down any notion that there would be a splash of activity immediately at the venue.
“There are a couple of minor works pending and the pool would be shut for a couple of days,” he said.
According to an official attuned to the situation on the ground, the wait could be far longer. “There is far more work to be done and it’s quite likely that the pool would be open for use only after the monsoon,” he said.
Covid-19 had contributed to a two-year delay in renovation and refurbishment but Gaude stated that the pool now conforms to international standards.
The Sports Minister later inaugurated the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE), a facility designed to provide specialized training in badminton, table tennis and swimming.
Selection is on and worthy athletes would be provided accommodation, education and training in their respective sports and responsibility for their development till the age of 18 will be that of the centre.
It is learned that specialised coaches in the aforesaid sports have been recruited and training is expected to start shortly. In addition, a high performance director, high performance coaches and support staff have been engaged for this purpose.
Secretary of Sports Ajit Roy is looking far ahead and has appealed to the athletes to aim for a medal at the Olympics. “I hope players across Goa take to sport and avail of the KISCE,” he said. His words were echoed by the Sports Minister in his address, affirming his support for sports in Goa.
