Government to encourage watersports in Goa: Dy CM

Panaji, May 14 (UNI) Goa government is committerd to encourage water sports which could exploit its vast coastline to boost national talent, particularly the youth deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred De Souza said today.

Addressing the windsurfers after giving away prizes to the winners of the just condluded National Windsurfing Championship-2006 jointly organised by the Goa Yatching Association and the Board Sailing Association of India (BSAI) this evening, Dr.De Souza said Goa needs build up a marina to develop water sports and exploit the coastline.

All other maritime states with vast coastline should encourage the water sports talents and Goa should take the lead in this regard.

Yatching and sailing formed part of the culture of Goa and the tourism department was committed to give a boost to the sport, he added.

Earlier, chief secretary JB Singh urged the authorities to make yatching and water sports more ''affordable'' even as the government would spare no effort to develop the sport fully in Goa.

The prominent among those who received the prizes today included champion of the national open PJ Thomas of the Army Yatching Association.Sportspersons including girls in the youth and junior categories also received awards.

UNI