Goa has been hosting an increasing number of marquee sports events in the recent times. While such high-profile sports events present the local grassroots talents a great opportunity to learn by observing the professionals, their skills can only be fine-tuned in an academy set-up. Director of Sports & Youth Affairs and Sports Authority of Goa Executive Director, Dr Ajay Gaude has disclosed that the government has plans in that direction.
“Through our Regular Coaching Classes (RCC) at centres across Goa, including Campal, Margao and Peddem, we are nurturing young talent at the grassroots level. Just as we are establishing the Goa Chess Academy, we can also envision a dedicated Goa Table Tennis Academy. We are also strengthening facilities under the Khelo India Centre of Excellence, where sports such as table tennis, badminton and swimming are being developed further,” he said on the sidelines of Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 at Sports Authority of Goa’s Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
With India targeting the hosting of the 2036 Olympic Games, Gaude urged young athletes to pursue sport with commitment and discipline from an early age.
“Sport demands dedication and sustained effort. The Government of Goa has created one of the country’s finest sports infrastructure networks, with modern sports complexes spread across the state. Young athletes should make full use of these facilities to realise their potential. As India works towards hosting the 2036 Olympics, today’s Under-12 and Under-14 athletes could well become the Olympians of tomorrow, provided they remain focused and committed to their goals,” he said.
