NEW DELHI
Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Thursday urged the Centre to restore the Taekwondo discipline at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre in Goa, stating that its discontinuation has disrupted the training of several athletes from the State.
Tanavade told the House that Goa has maintained a strong track record in Taekwondo, winning medals at every National Games since 1994, including the 2015 Kerala Games and the 37th National Games hosted by Goa in 2023.
Calling for its immediate reinstatement, he said the suspension of the discipline in 2020–21 adversely affected the progress of dedicated sportspersons.
The MP also highlighted the rising popularity of racket sports in Goa, including badminton, table tennis, tennis, squash, and pickleball. Noting that the State has both infrastructure and emerging talent in these disciplines, he urged the Government to establish Centres of Excellence to prepare athletes for upcoming national and international competitions, particularly in the next Olympic cycle.
Tanavade requested the Centre to consider both proposals to ensure that Goa’s athletes receive adequate support and opportunities for advancement.
