National Games equipment for athletes, not to be kept in godowns: Govind Gaude

Panaji: Sports minister Govind Gaude has told Goan athletes that the high-end equipment procured for the National Games will be available for their use after the multidiscipline sporting event concludes later this week.

Goa has invested heavily in creating infrastructure for the National Games and bought equipment for the conduct of the event. In the past, equipment either disappeared – like the hurdles at Bambolim after the Lusofonia Games – or remained locked, but Gaude said everything would be put to best use.

“Whatever equipment has been bought by the government has to be properly used,” said Gaude. “Keeping it in the store room, workshops or godowns will not serve its purpose. It is for the use of sportspersons. Hopefully, they’ll shine internationally.”

The sports minister also felt the value of Goa’s “excellent sports infrastructure” will be enhanced if it’s put to maximum use, resulting in medals and laurels for the state. “The infra can also be better maintained if used for day to day sports activities,” he said.

Goa is on an excellent run at the National Games with close to 50 medals, including ten gold. The government now plans to give sports a bigger push with the addition of more sports disciplines to the Khelo India’s centre of excellence.

The centre at Campal, for the moment, caters to badminton, table tennis and swimming.

“My effort is to add another six disciplines to the Khelo India excellence centre. This is a residential centre where we take care of their schooling too. We’ve decided to accommodate outstation players so that there is a healthy competition on the field (for Goans),” said the sports minister.

Even prior to Liberation, Goa’s focus has for long been on football. In 2012, the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar even declared football as the state sport, but Gaude said there is now a need to focus on traditional sports as well.

“The inclusion of traditional sports has provided an opportunity for youth from rural areas, across the country, to excel. These games will motivate the youth, their enthusiasm has increased,” said Gaude.

Lagori and gatka were included as demonstration sports at the National Games, adding a unique and cultural dimension to the sporting event.
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