The new tennis courts at BPS Club, Margao.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
MARGAO
The tennis courts at BPS Club, Margao have been upgraded to synthetic surface of international standards, fulfilling a long-held dream of its members.
Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar recently inaugurated the two courts. Speaking on the occasion, Ajgaonkar congratulated the BPS Club for constructing the two lawn courts and said the courts will be used for the upcoming National Games in the State.
"Our infrastructure for the National Games is ready. Our grounds are ready. We can host National Games any time,” Ajgaonkar said. The minister added that the works on the infrastructure creation have been completed.
The upcoming Games, facing uncertainty for long, was originally scheduled for November 2018 but was postponed to April 2019. However, due to the general election, the government of Goa ordered another cancellation. The Games were rescheduled to be held from October 20 to November 4 last year. However, a spurt in the number of novel coronavirus cases in the State led to an indefinite postponement in May 2020.
The Sports Minister expressed optimism that the National Games will go ahead whenever the Indian Olympic Association decides to hold them. “The State government has been developing sports complexes in the State and students must take maximum advantage of the facilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Margao MLA Digamber Kamat requested the sports minister to come up with dressing room facility, a project which has been delayed due to the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Santosh George, president of BPS Club, the cost of the project was almost 60 lakhs with Sports Authority of Goa contributing 20 lakhs and industrialist Nana Bandekar donating Rs 5 lakhs. The rest of the funds were drawn from well-wishers.
The master plan for the development of the club property is being undertaken and it will include a residential unit and swimming pool, he said. He informed that the club gives scholarship annually to a player, who has excelled at the national and State level. The club also conducts coaching classes for tennis, table tennis and badminton.
The tennis courts will be used as practice courts for the National Games.
