JOEL ANDRADE
PANAJI
Goa Badminton Association Secretary Sandeep Heble, who has filed his nomination for the post of secretary general and vice-president independently, is challenging incumbent Secretary General Gurudatta Bhakta, who is part of the panel floated by Union Minister Shripad Naik for Goa Olympic Association’s managing body election scheduled for September 22, 2018.
In a conversation with The Goan, Heble shared few of his plans. “In addition to National Games and Lusofonia, GOA should have a larger role to play. I have heard views from many associations and
based on their feedback, have outlined a few plans. Some initiatives which can be
undertaken include organising State games, assisting member associations and budding sports persons in procedural, administrative and promotional matters,
felicitating talented athletes and achievers, building an
independent office or an Olympic Bhavan, celebrating days of national importance such as sports day,
having annual awards and a convention, creating a positive environment and
movement for sports among others. And we can add
on to this list,…”said Heble, exhibiting generous
enthusiasm.
Though Heble faces an uphill battle contesting against a panel backed by the Union Minister for AYUSH, he sounded upbeat and optimistic. “It is a friendly contest, there is absolutely no
bitterness against anyone, we are all administrators serving our respective
associations and each one wants to do their bit for
the sport. I am trying to reach out to all with a positive
agenda. We can all work together like one united
team. Some of the associations which I have met so
far have given good feedback to my plans and
intentions,”said Heble who expressed his desire to meet all associations in the coming days to let them know about his plans.
Heble went on to express a few more of his thoughts more elaborately. “Since being elected as secretary of Goa Badminton Association in 2016, I have worked along with my
committed team to implement several new initiatives to take badminton forward.
Organising taluka, district and State level tournaments, women’s and children’s festivals, coaching camps across Goa, publishing quarterly newsletters, maintaining Whatsapp and Facebook groups, good PR and coverage, annual convention and awards, generating corporate funds, organising all-India ranking and nationals tourneys are some of them. Badminton is today a very active sports association and some of the initiatives we have taken there, something on similar lines can be initiated in the GOA too.
In many other associations too, there have been novel initiatives and if we all come together and share our
initiatives, GOA can become a very vibrant body with year round activities. I believe
I have the passion and
commitment to carry the growth and momentum of sports’ movement forward and can work with the others positively in good team
spirit,” added Heble in
conclusion.
