Goa’s gymnastics camp is brimming with positive intent as the coach Vishal Katakdound has no doubt that the gymnasts from the host state can deliver a medal performance.
“We are targeting at least one medal in team and one in individual apparatus,” said Katakdound.
Gymnastics event will kick off at the Peddem Multipurpose Indoor stadium, Mapusa, on Monday.
Katakdound insisted that the quality of equipment is bound to raise the level of performance for all
gymnasts and it would be the same for his team. And the players are keen to make the most of the opportunity they have got this year.
“We have had good preparations and the support from the government has been exceptional. We have players like Swara Godbole and Aabha Sharma who can win medals in individual events and I am hoping that our players will make it to the finals in floor, balance beam and uneven bar,” he added.
The coach felt that the level of competition at this edition of the National Games was going to be
quite high with the likes of Pranati Nayak, who recently represented India at the Asian Games, and many top Services gymnasts fit and raring to go.
“Our gymasts will also get to compete against the best and learn from them,” he added.
The Goa Gymnastics Association is already looking beyond the National Games and is keen to build on it to make the state a hub of gymnastics activity in the near future.
“The federation guys are already in talks with the government to make this facility a permanent coaching centre under Sports Authority of Goa. This way we can focus on identifying and nurturing talent not just from the state but from other states as well,” said Katakdound.
