By Augusto Rodrigues
The Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs (DSYA) pays Rs 3,53,000(three lakhs fifty three thousand) monthly to sixty seven beneficiaries as financial assistance to sportspersons of Goa in indigenous circumstances. The scheme offers a monthly stipend of Rs 8, 000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 to international, national and state players respectively.
Twelve international players, forty six national players and nine state players are the beneficiaries of this schemed mooted by the government to aid players who “made significant contribution in the field of games and sports and are in indigent circumstances.”
Eleven international players are footballers while one is in Yatching. The scheme extends not only to sportspeople but to their widows/widowers.
Among the men are international football players like former defender Nicholas Perreira of Dempo Sports Club and Bernad Perreira of the famous ABCD quartet of Vasco Sports Club. Bernad later excelled for Orkay SC and Tata SC, Bombay. Former windsurfer Candido Soares is the international beneficiary for Yatching.
The widows of famous international football players Prakash Naik and Visitcao Lobo- both fabulous strikers of the ball -of Sesa Goa avail this facility.
Apart from football there are six athletes, six kabaddi players and five volleyball players benefitting from this scheme introduced by the government.
Ten female athletes are availing the scheme. Wife of the late Visitacao Lobo “who passed away a few months back- is the eleventh.
Sportspeople are entitled to gain from this financial entitlement if:
A: “Played at the international, national or state level.”
B:Whose income from all sources including that of his/her wife/husband is less than Rs 7000 per month.
C: “Age limit should be 40 years and above for unemployed/disabled sportsperson or 55 years and above for unemployed and old age.
The scheme was started in Goa in 1982 after the government of India had approved it in 1975. The financial approval was given in 1975 too.
