PANAJI: Goa may see its first revised sports policy in nearly 16 years, with Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) Executive Director Ajay Gaude announcing plans to draft and release the State Sports Policy 2025 by December this year.
Gaude, who took charge today, said the current policy dates back to 2009 and requires urgent revival to align with present-day sporting needs and opportunities.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Khelo India initiative and the Centre’s recently released Khel Niti 2025, Gaude said Goa’s policy overhaul would focus on coaching standards, infrastructure upkeep, post-National Games legacy planning, and sports equipment management. “By focusing on these, we want to bring Goa’s sports into focus,” he added.
Gaude highlighted that Goa will soon host the Chess World Cup, the Asian Gymnastics Championship, the Bandodkar Trophy, and the India-Singapore pre-qualifier football match, calling these events opportunities to project the State as a sports tourism destination. He also stressed greater emphasis on youth affairs through NSS, NCC, Scouts and Guides, alongside motivating SAG and Department of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA) coaches.
Pointing to the need for better utilisation of central government funds, Gaude said Goa must strengthen its Khelo India Centres while identifying quality coaches and resources to reduce mismanagement. “Every time there is a fund, there is mismanagement. That makes me unhappy. We need to identify resources and support coaches with potential so that Goa’s name is known across India,” he remarked.
The SAG director also underscored collaboration between departments, stating, “DSYA and SAG should not work separately, because the main objective is the promotion of sports. We should work as promoters of sports, not as departments.”
Recent achievements, including the launch of Khelo Goa Centres across all 12 talukas and the State Sports Department winning the Skotch Award for its initiatives, were also credited by Gaude as stepping stones for future growth. Gaude added that awards such as the Dilip Sardesai Award, Youth Awards, and Best Club Awards will be revived this year after delays.
With the backing of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Gaude said his priority will be to bring structural change within a month.
