PANAJI
Outstanding sportspersons winning medals at the national and international tournaments, including special Olympians from the Special Olympics World Championship in Berlin 2023, were felicitated with cash awards by the Sports Authority of Goa.
The awards were presented by Minister for Social Welfare Subhash Phal Dessai and Minister for Sports Govind Gaude at a programme held in the city on Saturday.
The SAG has released Rs 28,23,000 as cash prize incentives to 147 meritorious athletes who have won medals at national and international events. Similarly, Rs. 70,50,000 were released as cash awards to 15 athletes who participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany 2023.
Phal Dessai in his address expressed that cash awards by SAG would boost the morale of sportspersons to perform extraordinary and bring laurels to the State. "It’s more heartening that youngsters are venturing into the sports arena and really performing well. The State government is very much committed to upgrading the sports infrastructure in the State. The efforts put in by the government machinery to enhance the quality of sports are commendable," he said.
Phal Desai also appreciated the contribution of coaches and mentors for training the athletes rigorously which resulted in success at the national and international events. He expressed satisfaction that the National Games are being held in Goa. "National Games will bring a positive transformation in the sports sector of the State," he said.
Sports Minister Gaude said that the government is encouraging sports and their growth. "In order to acknowledge the achievements of sportspersons and encourage them to improve further, the initiative of presenting cash awards has been implemented by the State government," Gaude said.
