PANAJI
The 1 Goa Battalion NCC began their 10-day annual camp for the Junior Division school boys of 19 schools from all over Goa, at Government College Quepem.
A total of 235 cadets are attending the camp. The basic thrust of the camp is on physical training, drill & weapon training. The camp was formally declared open by Lt Blythe Luis Dias, who got commissioned in the Indian Navy a fortnight ago.
The Commanding Officer of 1 Goa Battalion NCC conveyed that with the aim of popularising the NCC in Goa and the Goan craze for football is being exploited in the camp by raising a Goa NCC football team and creating a connect with the Indian Armed Forces among the youth of Goa.
The NCC Battalion of Goa is fielding its separate football team for the prestigious Subroto Cup, which will mean two teams will represent Goa in the Subroto Cup this year. The move is not only meant to give a boost to budding Goan footballers but also instill a sense of pride in the uniform.
To improve the representation of the Goa NCC Cadets at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi, selection trials are also planned during this camp. Also, a promotional Video will be launched to motivate Goans to join the armed forces not just as officers but also as an Agniveer with a son of the soil Col D S Samant posted as Army Recruiting officer in Himachal Pradesh addressing the cadets on the Agniveer scheme.
Young men who wish to join as Agniveer will be given free of cost training during the camp. Speaking on the occasion the son of Group Captain Bolivar Dias (retired) from Indian Airforce, Lt Dias urged the young boys of Goa to take pride in their country and seek high status professions in India and be the masters of the country’s destiny.
Among those present on the occasion were MLA Nilesh Cabral, MLA Altone De Costa, Principal of Pope John 23rd High School Fr Manuel Vaz, Principal Govt College, Quepem, Dr Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Adv Vallabh Desai and Fausto Lobo coach of Goa Football Association & Sports Authority of Goa.
