Chief Minister Pramod Sawant raised the pitch for uplifting sports in Goa and spoke elaborately at a Sports Authority of Goa cash awards function in Panaji on Friday. He made an impassioned plea for all to take on a collective responsibility on sports and disclosed ambitious plans of sports promotion and exposure, including the creation of a sports city and hosting national and international events in future.
The intent is very much visible. Sawant sounded optimistic on sports as he touched upon the fitness aspect and invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while conveying the importance of fitness to sports. There is no denying the fact that Goa has made rapid strides in raising sports infrastructure. We have village-level stadiums, indoor stadiums, besides the international-level stadiums at Fatorda and Bambolim, including an athletic stadium opposite the GMC.
The CM has hit the nail on its head while appealing that scouting for sports talent must begin at the grassroots and school levels. His statement that 40 percent of PE teachers did not take any initiative during Covid to train students exposes the sluggishness within the system. However, beyond these systemic shortcomings, there is one aspect that successive governments have done grave injustice to -- recognition of sportspersons who have brought laurels to the State.
Close on the heels of the government deciding to name the hockey stadium at Mapusa after legendary Olympian Major Dhyan Chand, the State government has decided to name the Bambolim athletic stadium after the late Milkha Singh, popularly called the Flying Sikh. The point here is why are Goans never been considered or bestowed with such an honour, more especially when there is no dearth of Goan sportspersons who have walked the hall of world fame.
It would be an ultimate tribute to name sports infrastructural projects after legendary Goa's sportspersons, and it would stand as testimony that sporting ambassadors of the State are being recognized. Yes, the government has to be commended for raising infrastructure, but sadly it has failed to put the spotlight on our sportspersons who have earned world acclaim. It is sad, because, in Goa, these are the stories that would count and inspire our sports persons as they step out. When a budding athlete finds a Goan name on a stadium, it would spark hope and inspire a generation.
There are many of Goa's sportspersons who have left an imprint on the world sports arena, but sadly their names have been buried in the sands of time and forgotten. We have a Goan football dribbler who mesmerised at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and engraved his name into the history books. There's an Aldona lady who was an Olympian and multiple medalists at the Asian Games and recently celebrated her 90th birthday at her Panaji residence. Many stars have put Goa on the international map, but have not got any recognition back home.
So, while we talk of sports, talent and raising sportspersons, it’s important that the State must document the historic past and create a template for our budding sportspersons based on these successes. The pursuit of sports excellence will find no takers if youngsters begin to reconcile with this grim reality of how sports legends fade away and are forgotten in Goa.
