The first batch of athletes arrived for the National Games in Goa, and the State wore a sporty look across venues that are getting the final touches. Although much has been spoken about infrastructure and the probability of getting it up and running ahead of schedule, it appears that Goa would eventually make it in the nick of time.
The focus, however, shifts to athletes, Goa's preparations and chances at the Games. While Sports Minister Govind Gaude has exuded confidence in Goa putting up a better show this time and getting more medals, there is an underlying disillusionment over ownership of success stories at the Games.
It may be noted that players from other states have been requisitioned to represent Goa, an experiment tried at the Lusofonia Games in 2014. So, if there is a spurt of medals in disciplines that Goa never aspired to win, it is thanks to those athletes from various other States who would keep Goa's flag flying.
Understandably, Goa is lagging far behind in most of the sports streams and doesn't fancy a chance while competing with other States. The possible medals the 'imports' could win may give us momentary euphoria. However, the question is whether such accomplishments would genuinely make us proud as a sporting State. Or are we using these achievements to mask our embarrassment at the national level?
Historically, the State leadership has been boasting about providing top sports infrastructure and facilities but is clueless on why Goa is not making a mark, at least on the national level. We haven't been able to find answers on why Goan athletes are not able to compete and what stops them in their tracks.
The answers are right before our eyes. The desperation for medals has been so overwhelming that Goan athletes have been completely overshadowed. There have been some late inclusions in squads displacing Goan contenders. For example, in badminton, seeded players have been dropped at the eleventh hour even after attending the mandatory training camp, and outstation players have been roped in, bypassing all criteria. Worse, these Goan shuttlers have been sidelined days before the event could kick off despite attending the entire preparatory camp.
While the sports authorities have not released the exact number of outstation players representing the State, it is evident that there is a sizeable number of athletes spread across various disciplines.
In the ruthless chase for medals, the sports department is doing grave injustice to many budding sportspersons who aspired to take to the national stage in their home State and rub shoulders with some top athletes. By denying this opportunity, these sportspersons would find it meaningless to pursue sports careers. Herein lies the answer to the paradox of why Goan athletes don't rise to national standards.
It's time those at the helm of the sports ministry realise that merely raising sports infrastructure does not give results. Sporting success comes from perseverance, hard work, training, diet, mental preparation, exposure and support.
Perhaps these games should be our moment of introspection as many of our sportspersons who have been unjustifiably benched watch the games from the sidelines.
