MARGAO
What is the modern digital monitoring system put in place by Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) to supervise the duty hour activities of coaches and to supervise the training conducted by them throughout the state.
Ask many coaches and officials associated with the different sports the same question and the answer is a clear and emphatic ‘none in place’.
For the records, SAG has close to 150 coaches according to its website and they are associated with 32 games, spread across the length and breadth of the state.
The game wise break up games’ wise shows that football, declared the state sport in 2012, tops the list with 20 coaches, followed by cricket 19 and body building 14 coaches.
The other games which have SAG coaches to work with are Archery (One coach), Athletics (5 coaches), Badminton (two coaches),Baseball (3 coaches), Basketball (3 coaches), Beach Volleyball (One coach), Boxing (8 coaches), Chess (Three coaches), Diving (One coach), Gymnastic (One coach), Handball (four coaches), Hockey (Three coaches), Judo (Five coaches), Kabaddi (8 coaches), Karate (Three coaches), Kho-Kho (Three coaches), Netball (Two coaches), Sepak Takraw (One coach), Shooting Ball (One coach), Skating (One coach), Softball (5 coaches), Swimming (2 coaches), Table Tennis (One coach), Taekwondo (5 coaches), Volleyball (6 coaches), Wrestling (One coach), Tennis Ball Cricket (6 Coaches), Kho-Kho/ Kabaddi (Two coaches) and Carrom (One coach.)
But most of the coach data shown on the SAG website is outdated and has not been updated on a timely basis to warn many sports persons who are in the know of things.
The data is not the only thing which has failed to keep up to the digital age, feels sports promoter Sandeep Heble.
Sandeep, a former Secretary of Goa Badminton Association and Chairman of Media cell, Goa Table Tennis Association is concerned with the “current state of the Sports Authority of Goa's (SAG) Table Tennis coaching programme at Campal, and in general all other Sports disciplines, where such near similar situations might be there.”
He says private coaches at various locations and in cities like Panjim and Margao are successfully drawing large numbers of children to their sessions but in stark contrast, it is extremely disheartening to see just a few trainees attending the SAG training managed by the SAG coaches.”
He was specifically referring to a single coach in a letter sent last month to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, who is also the President (Ex Officio) of the Sports Authority of Goa.
“The current state of the SAG TT programme raises a serious question: If the SAG TT coach cannot deliver output and has no trainees, why are such coaches even required and drawing salaries month after month with neither trainees nor any results to show,” he adds in the letter.
“I must note my appreciation for the Sports Minister Govind Gaude who began his tenure with a promising start, implementing surprise checks and stadium visits, which kept the coaches vigilant for a few months. However, it appears that the situation has reverted to its previous state, and there has been no follow up or proper supervision mechanism in the SAG to keep the coaches in check, or ensure that they give good output and efficiency,” he said in his letter.
Copies of the letter have been sent to Govind Gaude, the Sports Authority of Goa, Secretary Sports, the Government of Goa, The Director, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and The Executive Director, the Sports Authority of Goa.
“Goa's rich history in table tennis and its inherent talent demand a revival, and the current approach is insufficient / lacklustre. The coaching cell within the SAG needs immediate restructuring, to monitor the performance of its coaches. It is high time a robust supervision mechanism is established to ensure coaches are producing tangible results and not merely coasting along, drawing salaries with no trainees to show for it. Our young talents deserve better,” he added in the letter.
So, what are the solutions which SAG can put in place to monitor the coaches, Sandeep has a few solutions to address this issue up his sleeve.
He says cameras should be installed at the coaching facilities, similar to the Khelo India Centre of Excellence at Campal, where coaching can be centrally monitored at any given point of time.
Conduct review meetings every three months involving the representatives of the Sports Department, SAG Coaching Cell and different sports Association/federations.
“Implement mobile tracking software to monitor coach and trainee activities. Put in place software to track monthly trainee attendance and progress,” he suggested
The coaches he feels need regular refresher courses so he suggests collaboration with National Federations and “depute the existing coaches for periodic refresher courses, to keep them updated on modern scientific methods of training.”
He also suggested collaboration with State Sports Associations and deputation of coaches to work under the guidance of the Association, conducting camps at schools, grassroots training etc.
He said that there is a need to revise coaching timings “as per modern day requirements and conduct regular surprise checks.”
He also favors the carrot and stick policy.
“Provide rewards and incentives to coaches who perform while phasing out / dismissing coaches who do not have results or trainees to show,” he said.
“I trust the steps suggested will help ensure accountability and improvement in the coaching standards provided by the SAG. By implementing such measures, we can reignite the passion for sports disciplines in Goa and provide our young athletes with the quality training they deserve,” he added on a parting note.
