With the selections of the basketball squad for theLusofonia Games commencing the day after Diwali, the wheels are slowly turningtowards the goal of selecting a competitive squad for the games next year.
The venue, the basketball court at the Goa University wasthe stage for the state’s best hoopsters to express themselves. The responsewas generally tepid with only the regulars present. Sandeep Warlikar one of the SAG coachesinvolved in the selection process felt that since it was the days followingDiwali, the response was poor.
For the players participating in the trials it was anopportunity to showcase their talent and be part of what is possibly the firstsuch event to take place in Goa. For Charles D’souza, a player for the DonBosco team and coach with SAG, this was a great opportunity for young talentedplayers to show their capabilities and be part of this sports festival. His efforts to be part of the squad werebolstered by the fact that he practiced and coached everyday for approximatelyfour hours. Asked what he felt his chances were he said “I am confident but itwill not be an easy road. The games are less than a year away and we will haveto work hard to make a mark”.
Dilip Ghosh, SAG coach who has come from Delhi felt thattalent was there but the absence of regular competition in the state wasproving to be an obstacle for the growth of the game. He said “The talent isvery good but fitness is a problem. This is due to the fact that competitionsare not held regularly making it difficult for players to stay fit.”
The players have to undergo several tests during the courseof the selections. They were appraised in one on one competitions, three onthree, defensive shuffle, throwing 10 full court layups, ability to score threepointers, speed spot shooting and the vigorous German drill.
Fitness was a concern that was voiced by the coaches as wellas some of the players. With the game in doldrums, following the inability ofthe concerned authorities to prepare a calendar of events for the year and thedispute lasting more than a decade regarding various office bearers in theassociation, the player seems to be the one suffering.
A veteran player of the sport, Lambert Gaudinho feels that despite all the problems thetalent was there but work would have to start immediately to prepare them forthe competition. He said “Many people have left because of the problems withthe sport in Goa, but look around you there is talent though fitness is aproblem. I think we can have an all Goa team in the games given the kind oftalent we have. It should be intensivetraining. We should be able to surprise people if we do that”
Perhaps the final word should go to Warlikar who says theplayers in Goa look forward to playing in tournaments since they would becompeting against global talent. He said” they are not looking for the prizemoney but for competition. “
In that perhaps lies a tale as the state prepares to holdthe games.
