Margao
Around 60 young athletes were on top of the world when they were shortlisted for 34th West Zone Athletics Championship and called for a meeting on August 30 at the Bambolim Stadium by Goa Athletics Association (GAA).
The GAA called the athletes meeting ostensibly with a view to get their consent about their participation for the West Zone event. The young athletes did give their consent and those who were not legally entitled to do their parents or guardians step in to clear the decks.
Twenty days down the line their hopes of making it to the Nagpur, Maharashtra event which is set to take place from October 4 to 6 has hit a roadblock.
The U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20 athletes, who were selected based on their performance at the 55th State Athletics Championship held in August, have now been told to fund their own trip and stay during the West Zone championship.
Sources informed that Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) has refused GAA request for 80% advance funding for the West Zone meet forcing the state athletic governing body to ask the athletes to fund the trip.
“SAG is not providing 80% advance grant. Also, many files of participation grants from Goa Athletics Association are pending with SAG,” informed a source.
Incidentally, the GAA is headed by former Member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar as its President.
Sources informed that troubles for GAA mounted on the financial front with a change in funding rule at championships originated by the Athletics Federation of India and hosted by different state associations.
“Before the Corona pandemic it was mandatory for the host states to provide accommodation and boarding,” a source said.
“After the pandemic, the Athletics Federation of India changed the rules stating that each of the state teams taking part in the championships will have to look after their accommodation and boarding,” an official said.
The move has put an additional financial burden on the state associations and with corporate sponsors to fall back on the associations have been left at the mercy of the state funding, said the official.
“Due to the Athletics Federation of India rule change in funding there is a lot of financial burden on the state association,” added the officials.
Meanwhile, one of the sports organizer from North Goa, who is training the boys and girls in the rural areas, is disappointed.
“Some of the boys and girls are from poor families and cannot raise the amount. They are crestfallen and their hopes are shattered for the moment. Hopefully some good Samaritans will come forward and fund the trips for these boys and girls,” he said on condition of anonymity.
