PANAJI
There is no doubt that Goa has done a fantastic job in putting up state-of-art infrastructure for the 37th National Games and the gymnastic arena with top-class equipment have left the gymnasts from across the country in awe.
While Goa’s gymnastic contingent is extremely happy with the facilities provided to them and their competitors for the Games, they are keen to mount a charge towards the medal podium over the next six days with gymnastic competition kicking off at the Peddem Multipurpose Indoor stadium from Monday.
“We are targeting at least one medal in team and one in individual apparatus,” said Goa coach Vishal Katakdound a day ahead of the competition. Katakdound insisted that the quality of equipment is bound to raise the level of performance for all gymnasts and it would be the same for his team. And the players are keen to make the most of the
opportunity they have got this year.
“We have had good preparations and the support from the government has been exceptional. We have players like Swara Godbole and Aabha Sharma who can win medals in individual events and I am hoping that our players will make it to the finals in floor, balance beam and uneven bar,” he added.
The coach felt that the level of competition at this edition of the National Games was going to be quite high with the likes of Pranati Nayak, who recently represented India at the Asian Games, and many top Services gymnasts fit and raring to go. “Our gymnasts will also get to compete against the best and learn from them,” he added.
The Goa Gymnastics Association is already looking beyond the National Games and is keen to build on it to make the state a hub of gymnastics activity in the near future.
“The federation guys are already in talks with the government to make this facility a permanent coaching centre under the Sports Authority of Goa. This way we can focus on identifying and nurturing talent not just from the state but from other states as well,” said Katakdound.
