PANAJI: As the biggest sporting extravaganza on the planet – Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games kicked off in Japan today, Goa Olympic Association (GOA) launched the ‘Olympic Awareness’ campaigns in Goa.
The North Goa event was held at KTC Bus-stand in Panaji while Agakhan Park played the host in Margao (South Goa), with the GOA initiative targeted to reach out to maximum number of sportspersons and enthusiasts with its 17-day programme.
The Olympics awareness and promotional schedule will include daily evening screening sessions, felicitations, mini-marathons and Quiz apart from a series of lively contests and activities.
Union Minister and North Goa MP, Shripad Naik, who is also the GOA president, inaugurated the North Goa campaign, in the presence of other dignitaries namely V.M. Prabhudesai (Executive Director, SAG), Deepak Naik (Vice-Chairman, Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd), Gurudatta Bhakta (Secretary-General, GOA), coordinators Sandeep Heble, Chetan Kavlekar, Jayesh Naik, Rajendra Godinho and others.
The North Goa organising committee felicitated Bhakta on the occasion, recognising his exemplary contributions and services rendered for the Olympic movement in Goa. The inaugural ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics was screened at both these centres, followed by brief awareness talks by dignitaries.
The South Goa campaign was inaugurated by Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai while MMC Chairperson Lyndon Pereira graced the occasion in the presence of coordinators Rupesh Mahatme, Sudesh Nagvekar, Sudesh Thakur, Benny Viegas and others. Earlier, a mini-marathon was held passing through the streets of Panaji and Margao cities to create Olympic awareness among the public, stated a press release issued by Sandeep Heble, GOA media coordinator.
