CM URGES TO TAP SPORT TALENT FROM RURAL AREAS TO ENHANCE & ENCOURAGE SPORT CULTURE
Panaji: July 15, 2025
The stakeholders of various sports associations in the State need to tap sport talent among youth from rural areas and impart them training, coaching and organize sports event to enhance and encourage sport culture in the State said Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and further mentioned that the Government intends to create robust infrastructure for sports sector so as to make Goa Sport Hub in future.
The Chief Minister was addressing a function organized to disburse financial assistance to sports associations, sports clubs and individual sports persons at Secretariat Porvorim today.
The Chief Minister speaking further said stakeholders of sports have to work to attract youth towards sports who spend their time for unproductive purposes. Sports, he said, help to create confidence, discipline, develop personality and also create social awareness among youth.
Reiterating Government’s commitment to make Goa a sport Hub in the days to come, Dr Sawant sought peoples cooperation to make this vision a reality. The Government is looking ahead towards Olympic Games 2036 and intends the sport stakeholders and authorities of the sport department to start working from now onwards, he exhorted.
Secretary Sports Shri Santosh Sukhdeve, IAS highlighting the importance of sports maintained that it is a powerful force for unity, discipline and character. It teaches us to dream big, to persevere, and to rise stronger with every challenge. We must embrace a bold and shared vision to build a dynamic, inclusive, and world-class sporting ecosystem in Goa, he added.
Shri Sukhdeve IAS further called upon every Sports Association, every club, every coach, and every official to come together as one team. Let us share knowledge, combine resources, and uphold the highest standards of transparency and professionalism, he said.
Shri Sukhdeve IAS emphasized the Chief Minister’s personal presence here today to hand over the disbursements is more than a gesture – it is a powerful message of support and belief in this vibrant sporting community. Let us come together to build a sporting culture that not only celebrates success but also inspires the next generation to dream, to strive, and to achieve, he remarked.
The Chief Minister disbursed an amount of Rs. 2. 14 crores as financial assistance to 31 Sports associations and 22 Sports Clubs were also disbursed as financial assistance of Rs. 27.84 lakhs from all over Goa.
Shri Umesh Dhavlikar, Miss Pearl Colvalkar, Ms. Sakshi Kale, Ms. Anura Prabhu, Mast. Yash Padloskar, and Mast. Vidhut Lotlikar received financial assistance at the hands of the Chief Minister.
MLA Shri Sankalp Amonkar, Secretary General, Goa Olympic Association Shri Gurudatt Bhakta, Executive Director Dr. Geeta Nagvenkar, Asst. Director DSYA Dr. Vivek Pawar, Representatives of various Sports Associations, Sports Club Office Bearers, Officials of DSYA, & SAG were among those who present at the function.
In-charge Coaching Section SAG Dr. Sandeep Warlikar compered the function.
DI/NB/DB/AP/NP/2025/498