Goa govt finalising new sports policy

Panaji, Aug 25 (UNI) Goa Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar told the state Legislative Assembly today that the government was finalising a new sports policy.

Replying to Francis D'Souza (BJP) during Question Hour, the minister said the policy was under final stages of drafting. The delay was due to consulting various related government departments again for the purpose.

Replying to another question, the minister said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had sent a proposal to the state government for setting up a full-fledged football academy in Goa to ''enhance'' the level of performance of the national football team, besides benefiting the Goan sportspersons.

It had also sought allotment of suitable land for the purpose following discussions held by AIFF president and Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting R Dasmunsi with Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

The Sports Department had moved a proposal to the Cabinet for transferring 1.27 lakh square metre land at Cuncolim under the State Urban Development Authority to the AIFF for setting up the academy on a 99 year lease. But the land was under dispute as it was originally owned by the Goa Housing Board.

Replying to another question, the minister told the House that the government had been undertaking various measures to promote football in the state through the Sports Authority of Goa(SAG).

SAG provides various types of grants to Goa Football Association to depute the state teams to participate in the national and international championships, open-national coaching camps, deputation of officials, referees for various courses besides maintenance of football grounds.

In addition, SAG had ten regular coaches, three contract coaches and 14 preliminary coaches who had been working at 27 different centres in Goa. They had been providing coaching to 1,401 trainees at present on a regular basis.

The Sport Minister also stated that the government had proposed to reconstruct a football stadium at Campal, which was demolished in 2004 for holding the International Film Festival of India.

UNI BM SR KK GC1655