PANAJI
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is concerned about politics in sports associations and has advised the awardees to help clean up the sports bodies. Parrikar voiced his feeling on the occasion of presentation ceremony of Bakshi Bahaddar Jivabadada Kerkar Sports Awards 2002-2014, at Dona Paula
on Thursday.
In all, 22 sportspersons and eight organisers were honoured for their performances /contribution to sports field in the designated period. Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar was also present at the ceremony.
A disturbing trend in state, points to formation of multiple factions of a particular sports association. The main reason for a breakaway group is almost always, ego clashes among the office-bearers. Concerned by the prevailing scenario, Parrikar appealed to the awardees to help rid sports associations of petty politics.
“If they can do that (root out politics), then Goan sport can flourish as there are very enthusiastic sportspersons here in a sizeable number...Opportunity is my job, seizing that opportunity is your responsibility,” summed up Parrikar, who also appeared to agree to Sports Minister Babu Ajgaonkar’s suggestion of increasing the Kerkar award purse to Rs 1 lakh from the current Rs 25,000 as in future the award will be given every year.
Sports & Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar apologised for the inexplicable delay in giving away the awards annually and promised to give the remainder as soon as possible before bringing on track, the yearly state recognition in future. He praised Parrikar for not shying away from sanctioning money when it comes to development of the state through sports.
Ajgaonkar also stressed that Goa will host the National Games in November this year and called upon the sports fraternity to put in collective effort so that the teams can also win medals at the prestigious multi-sport Games.
Director of Sports & Youth Affairs as well as Executive Director of SAG, V M Prabhudesai revealed that prize-money to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore has also been cleared by the chief minister apart from the pending Kerkar Awards. He expressed confidence in world class infrastructure being ready for the Games
in time.
“Let me take this opportunity to appeal to all players, coaches, administrators, PE teachers to put their best foot forward in the year of National Games. Let us take a pledge today that we shall ensure our teams put up a splendid performance at the National Games,” said
Prabhudesai.
