ST CRUZ: Goa government is committed to deliver the required infrastructure but the sports associations and parents are not responding adequately to the need of the hour, was the concern expressed by Sports Minister Govind Gaude and his sentiment was echoed by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on the occasion of the inauguration of the synthetic football turf on the village playground here in Tiswadi taluka on Tuesday evening.
While the National Games got postponed on different occasions and will ultimately be hosted later this year, what stopped the associations from taking the initiative to prepare the teams all this while for the prestigious multi-sports extravaganza?, was the question raised by Sports Minister Gaude. He also appealed to the parents to encourage their children to play as the state of the art sports infrastructure is being created to boost the Goans in the field of sports.
CM Dr Pramod Sawant reiterated the necessity for Goan youth to stir up passion to give their best and join the list of the greats like Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Bruno Coutinho and Bhakti Kulkarni – all Arjuna awardees. He also urged the parents to take their children to watch India’s top sports stars at the National Games to be held in October – November.
St Cruz MLA Rodolfo Fernandes expressed happiness about the village ground being given a facelift with an international standard artificial turf. He also revealed that Merces ground is scheduled to be upgraded in the near future.
Secretary sports, Govt of Goa, Swetika Sachan (IAS), Rohit Kadam, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, were also present among other dignitaries. An exhibition match between traditional rivals and two of Goa’s most decorated clubs Dempo SC and Salgaocar FC, marked the occasion.
