MARGAO: Even as controversy surfaced at the inaugural of badminton preliminaries at the 37th National Games, that the Goa would be represented by players from other states in badminton and some other sports disciplines, to the exclusion of local talent, former Executive Director of Sports and present Congress leader Elvis Gomes tore into BJPs ‘false’ development story of the past 12 years by terming exclusion of native Goans as insulting to the hard work up by Goan athletes.
Gomes countered the claim that Goan badminton players couldn’t qualify to be part of the squad by stating that being the host state, Goan athletes had the privilege of automatic qualification. “Qatar played in the World Cup football by virtue of being the host nation. That’s the sporting policy. The government has outsourced everything in Goa to outsiders and getting medals for the state in National Games has also been outsourced to outsiders” lamented Gomes.
