Panaji
The issue of non-Goan athletes representing the state in sports competitions has come under the spotlight during a recent Goa Legislative Assembly session.
MLA Carlos Ferreira raised concerns about the inclusion of players from outside Goa in the state’s sports teams. In response, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Govind Gaude clarified that there is no specific categorization of players as 'Goan' or 'non-Goan' in official records.
The selection of athletes to represent Goa is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Sports Associations. These bodies adhere to guidelines and transfer rules mandated by the National Sports Federations, which vary across different sports.
While Minister Gaude emphasized Goa’s abundance of talented athletes, he acknowledged that player transfers from other states do occur as per the regulations set by the national sports governing bodies. Such transfers, he explained, are often necessary under specific circumstances and do not necessarily reflect a shortage of local sporting talent.
Despite calls for data on the number of Goan athletes representing other states, the Minister stated that such information is not maintained by the state government and falls under the purview of the State Sports Associations.
The debate highlights the complexities involved in managing sports talent at the state level, particularly in the context of national-level competition and transfer rules.
Outdoor Sports
Discipline Location
Swimming Campal, Ponda Complex
Handball PJN Stadium, Fatorda; Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim
Football St. Aloysius High School, Benaulim; St. Xavier’s Institute, Curtorim
Kabaddi Mae Dos Pobres HS, Nuvem; Radhakrishna HS, Bicholim
Taekwondo Immaculate Heart of Mary H.S, Goa Velha; Technical Training Regiment, Bambolim
Cricket Multipurpose Hall PJN Stadium, Fatorda; Sports Complex, Ponda
Badminton Shrimati Kamalabai Hede High School, Karai Shiroda; Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim
Hockey Tilak Maidan, Vasco; PJN Stadium, Fatorda
Basketball SAG Campal, Ground; Sports Complex, Shiroda
Judo Don Bosco H.S, Panaji; Narayan Zantye Sports Complex, Bicholim
Boxing St. Anthony’s H.S, Monte de Gurim; St. Jude’s H.S, Betalbhatim
Softball Sports Complex, Peddem; Bloomz International School, Baida Nuvem
Volleyball Our Lady of Merces H.S, Merces; Shree Ram Vidya Mandir, Colvale
Tennis St. Michael’s Convent H.S, Anjuna; Our Lady of Carmel High School
Netball Sharada Mandir High School, Miramar; Holy Spirit Church Ground, Margao
Karate Presentation Convent H.S, Fatorda; Holy Spirit Church Ground, Margao
Sepak Takraw St. Michael H.S, Taleigao; St. Theresa’s H.S, Candolim
Wrestling Athletic Stadium, Bambolim; Sports Complex, Ponda
Archery DSYA Ground, Merces; Sports Complex, Peddem
Skating PJN Stadium, Fatorda; Athletic Stadium, Bambolim
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Indoor Sports
Discipline Location
Handball Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim
Badminton Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim
Chess St. Xavier’s Institute, Curtorim; St. Theresa’s H.S, Candolim
Carrom St. Joseph’s H.S, Calangute; Government H.S, Kirlawada
Shootingball Government H.S, Merces; Sports Complex, Peddem
Table Tennis Government H.S, Kirlawada; Sports Complex, Peddem
Bodybuilding Peddem Boxing Hall, Peddem; Sankhalim Gymnasium
