the goan I network
Panaji
Goa Swimming Association in collaboration with M/S Galaxy International, Goa commenced the 29th Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior State Aquatic Championship, 2017 at Campal Swimming Pool, Panaji on Friday. The competition which will conclude on May 21 will showcase the talent in individual events, individual medley and team relays.
The event was inaugurated at the hands of Chief Guest Digambar Kamat, MLA and President of SFI in the presence of Manohar Azgaonkar, Sports Minister, VM Prabhudesai, Executive Director of SAG, Ramakant Khalap, former Union Law Minister and GSA officials.
Speaking at the inaugural function, V M Prabhudesai stated it was a happy occasion for the swimming fraternity of the State more so with the recently upgraded facilities at the swimming pool complex. “It looks nothing less than a National Championship. We intend to upgrade it further in the days to come. Until and unless we give standard facilities to swimmers and coaches, desired results would not come,” Prabhudesai stated. “We have had outstanding performances at the school nationals, national and international competitions. Sanjana Prabhugaonkar is one such classic example for other swimmers to emulate who has at a young age shown the courage and conviction to go afar,” he further added.
“To realise Olympians from Goa, our swimmers in the age group of 8-15 years should stay with the sport for 20-25 years and show consistency and competency at the swimming pools in Goa to reach to the pinnacle,” he concurred.
Digambar Kamat, who declared the Aquatic Championship open revealed that the venue was comparable to the one in Benguluru wherein the Sub-junior and Junior aquatic Nationals were held. “Swimming is one discipline which yields maximum medals after athletics in Olympics. Glen Saldanha who heads Glenmark Foundation has assured support to GSA. He has promised to send a qualified coach to Goa to have a clinic for not only the swimmers but for the coaches as well to ensure that the technique is improved,” he revealed. “I would like to see that in the 2020 Olympics to be held at Tokyo our Indian swimmers earn direct qualification and win medals,” added Kamat.
GSA Secretary, Sayad Abdul Majid proposed the vote of thanks.
On the occasion, Xavier D’Souza, a talented young swimmer from the State who has been winning medals internationally in recent years was felicitated by GSA for his outstanding performances.
With the event being at the State level, the best performer will be chosen by the Goa Swimming Association to represent Goa in the forthcoming National Games 2017 to be held in Pune from July 3-7.
