Goa Blog

Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Rane today gave the green signal to Sports Authority of Goa (Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Govt.) to go ahead with the plans to host the 2011 National Games in Goa following the approval by the members at the general body meeting at Secretariat, Porvorim today. Sports Minister, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar and Panchayats Minister, Mr Subash Shirodkar, who is also the GOA president, were among those present.

“We need good infrastructure and the venues must be easily accessible. Most importantly, we need to make good use of the facilities once built,” Mr Rane remarked during the debate on hosting the Games. Mr Gurudatt Bhakta, GOA secretary, who highlighted the benefits that would be accrued in terms of infrastructure development and benefits for sportspersons, stated that the budget had been estimated at Rs 200-250 crores. Mr Jovito Lopes, SJAG president, supporting the GOA move, pointed out that once the infrastructure is in place, Goa could even host the 3rd Lusofonia Games in 2013 since the ACOLOP members had agreed to give Goa a chance the Games during the Lusofonia Games held in Macau last year. A core committee involving senior bureaucrats, heads of some departments, industrialists and reprentatives of associations was also set up for the conduct of the games.

The Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Govt. today approved the hosting of 27th national taekwondo, 15th national junior tennis ball cricket nationals, roller skating nationals and swimming nationals and permanent recognition was accorded to Saptakoteshwar YC, Karvem-Gaondongrim, Cacra SC, United SC Mardol.

New floodlights for Nehru stadium and Duler stadium costing Rs 378 cr and Rs 299 cr respectively were also approved. The proposal by Mr Francisco Silveira, MLA that a medium-size stadium to accomodate about 5,000 spectators be built at the old Campal site was also approved.

Setting up of gymanium in remote rural areas, distribution of kit to tribal sportspersons, residential, summer and diet camps, scholarships, filling up of 20 posts, prize money amounting to Rs 96,05,750 to medal winners,, recruitment of 3 swimming and diving coiaches, setting up of football academy at Divar, regularisation of coaches holding NIS diploma, sponsoring candidates for NIS diploma course, regularisation of 104 employees, enhanced cash awards for National games medal winners (Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh), regularisation of 49 preliminary coaches, upgradation of weightlifting and boidy building cioaches were also approved.

The appointment of Roshanlal Nahar as badminton coach with Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Govt. for a period of one year was also approved on re-employed pension basis since he retired from SAI.

Mr Jovito Lopes pointed out that a roster system had to be maintained as per the Supreme Court guidelines and that all appointments needed to be done after issuing proper advertisements and names being called from the employment exchange and that reservations needed to be observed. Mr Pratapasing Rane promptly directed Mr V M Prabhudesai, Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Govt. executive director to follow the same.

The suggestion put up by Mr Mario Pinto, Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Govt. treasurer that only local talent be selected for representing the state at various nationals was accepted following disclosure that some state teams at National Games and Lusofonia Games had fielded outstation players. Although, he refused to name the squads, it is learnt that boxing, archery and volleyball were the ones who had fielded players from Maharashtra and Kerala.

Sanction was accorded for Rs 5 lakh award for ex-Test cricketer Dilip Sardessai which was given during the 2006 ODI match. The proposal from Mr Jovito Lopes to also consider ex-Olympian footballer Fortunato Franco for a similar award was agreed to by the house.

Courtesy: Navhind Times - March 16, Goa Daily