MARGAO
It may seem strange but it is a fact. Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DYSA), the two Goa government departments coming under the sports ministry, do not have a tennis coach on its roll.
The SAG has over 150 coaches based in different parts of the state and are spread to the far-flung areas and has a few of them working under the DYSA banner. The SAG has recruited coaches in more than 30 disciplines including carrom and tennis ball cricket, but none for tennis.
Some tennis officials blame it for a lack of foresight of the Goa government sports administrators, while on the other hand the SAG personnel shift the blame on the lack of tennis courts in the state.
The situation however has changed over the years, many tennis players in the state argued.
The hosting of the National Games in the state, was a blessing in disguise for the game, with the tennis court at the Fatorda outdoor Complex finally getting ready. The Fatorda tennis courts was the sole venue where the tennis competitions of the National Games took place.
Buoyant with the new infrastructure, the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA) led by its President Sameer Kakodkar is pushing the state government for full time SAG coaches to impart training to children in different parts of Goa.
It was not immediately not known as to how many coaches they have demanded with SAG but they are optimistic that something positive will emerge in the coming months.
“We met the Sports Authority of Goa Executive Director Madam Geeta Nagvekar and we have requested her for appointment of SAG coaches for tennis,” said Kakodkar while speaking to The Goan.
Goa has a few coaches who have certification from All India Tennis Association (AITA) the governing body of tennis in India. Valentine D’Silva (Level 4) Santosh Gorawar (Level 3) and Deepak Nahak (Level 1), along with a few others who have certification from other institutions.
In order to overcome the lack of tennis courts and tennis coaches in Goa the GSTA is pushing for new tennis courts across Goa and will conduct classes in Goa to certify new individuals as certified coaches.
“We are already in touch with AITA and will hold the classes in say October / November of this year to certify new coaches. This will be the first time ever that certification classes will be conducted in Goa,” Kakodkar had said earlier.
Incidentally, GSTA which got a grant of close Rs 33,51,600/- for the National Games, has written to SAG in March this year that they wish to return the unutilised funds amounting to over 14 lakhs back to SAG.
“Enclosed kindly find our submissions regarding expenses, equipment and residential camp for the 37th National Games,” says a letter dated 15th March 2014 from GSTA, signed by its outgoing President Nathan Chougule and Rajendra Godinho.
“The total receipts were Rs. 33,51,600/-, whereas total expenses were 19,24,611/. As such, Rs.14,26,989 is to be refunded to you. Details of the expenditure is enclosed. Kindly verify our expenses and confirm the same so that we may refund the amount due to you.
