Sports Minister Manohar “Babu” Ajgaonkar on Thursday said that there was adequate sports infrastructure in the state but it was up to the state to come together and ensure that the talent was honed to reach the top level.
PANAJI
Ajgaonkar was speaking at the conclusion of the motion to congratulate swimmers Shrungi Bandekar, Xavier D'Souza, Sayyed Zidane Iqbal, Vaishnavi Halarnkar, Tanisha Mugod, Mithika Karapurkar, Sohan Ganguly, Magan de Almeida, Kritika Desai and other team members for winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the National School Games in Gujarat, Khelo India Scheme held in New Delhi, State Aquatic Championships in Panaji and the recently held 44th Glenmark National Aquatic Championships in Pune.
Ajgaonkar said that there are several organisations like the SAG, GFDC, GFA, and several others who are rising but the talent was still lacking.
"I'm assure that our infrastructure will not be found wanting," Ajgaonkar said. "Goa has facilities like no other state has. During the previous term it was me as sports minister who drafted the sports policy and sports marks. Earlier, parents used to fear sending their wards for sports. Today they can get marks and pass. We have to work. We can do it. No need to fear." Ajgaonkar said.
Earlier, several legislators including Digambar Kamat, Alina Saldanha and others raised the issues of infrastructure in the state. Kamat said that there very few swimming pools in the state are as per the FINA standards and would fail when it comes to hosting international events.
"Your swimming pools have to be according to FINA standards. Besides Campal and Peddem, I do not think any pools in Goa are according to FINA standards," Kamat who is the president of the swimming Federation of India said.
Kamat also urged the Sports Minister to tie up with the Glenmark Foundation, which is started by a Goan Glenn Saldanha.
"After athletics, swimming has the most medals in the Olympics. His foundation is sponsoring swimming athletes including Xavier D'Souza, whom we are congratulating. He is taking care of his education and training. If we can team up with him, Goan swimmers will be taken care of. I request the chief minister to look into this," Kamat said.
Several other legislators notably Churchill Alemão, Alina Saldanha, Nilkanth Halarnkar, Nilesh Cabral and others spoke on the motion while lobbying for the demand for better infrastruture.
