The thwack of tennis balls on high modulus graphite racquetsmay be heard on the courts of the Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias at Miramar butthe absence of adequate facilities is proving to be a stumbling block fortennis players in the state.
The situation may improve slightly with plans in the offingto build a couple of more tennis courts in Vasco and Margao. The President ofthe state tennis association Ramakant Angle revealed that two tennis courtswould be built at Vasco and one more in Margao. This it is hoped will help easethe plight of young players interested in improving their game. Asked what thefocus was for the sport in the next five years, the President said it was toensure that the state was ranked in the top five in the country.
The absence of adequate funds for the sports in the statewas also a problem which he felt was sadly inhibiting the growth of thesport. Coaches hired from other statesusually charged Rs.25,000 to Rs. 30,000 a month which stretched the finances.These coaches he said were required due to the poor quality of coaches in thestate. Without funding from the government it was very difficult. He hoped toincrease the number of courts in a year and a half at the most.
Nikung Siwach a professional player from the state who playstravels to Germany annually to brush up his skills said “the sport in Goa is inthe doldrums. Nothing is being done to encourage players or people who could beinterested in the sport to participate.”
With tennis courts largely located in private gymkhanas,players cannot access these facilities unless they are members of these clubs.Nikunj felt it would be nice of these private bodies would allow young boys touse the facilities when the members were not playing. This he felt was veryimportant if the base of the sport had to be increased.
Valentine D’silva a coach with the Hotshot Tennis Academy atthe Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias said that the state tennis association iscertainly doing its best and there was talent in the state. It was vital hefelt for the association to look for land in Taleigao , Merces or Santacruz fornew courts because it was vital to build new courts inorder to encourage thedevelopment of the sport. Goan players he said were now playing nationally anddisplaying good form.
For lovers of this sport, the lack of sponsorship iscreating problems. AS Nikung said “Why will people invest when the returns arenon- existent. Cricket will receive sponsors because of the interest. A lot hasto change for the sport to catch fire in the state.”
Like many things in Goa, sadly, the success of a few likeNatasha Palha is helping gloss over the shortcomings in the system. Perhaps asit is rightly said in India, if you make it big, it is despite the system.
