Team Goemkarponn
Margao: The ambitious plan to establish a dedicated Goa Olympic Bhavan took a major step forward as the Goa Olympic Association (GOA) held its first stakeholder consultation with architect Pallavi Ghate Stardekar of Parijat Design. The interactive session, held in Margao, marked the beginning of the conceptual phase for the long-awaited project aimed at giving the state’s sporting ecosystem a permanent institutional home.
The meeting was chaired by GOA Secretary General Gurudatta Bhakta and Treasurer Jayesh Naik, and brought together representatives from several State Sports Associations (SSAs). Among the key participants were Sameer Kakodkar (Goa State Tennis Association), Conceisao Fernandes, Rupesh Mahatme, Wency Gonsalves (Goa Handball Association), Sunil Naik and Sanjay Velip (Goa Kho Kho Association), Sudesh Nagvekar (Goa Swimming Association), Sidharth Satardekar (GOA Council Member), Shubham Narvekar (Goa Netball Association), and Sudesh Thakur (Goa Gymnastics Association).
Prior to the meeting, the GOA had sought detailed inputs from all affiliated SSAs to understand their specific requirements and expectations from the proposed Olympic Bhavan. These inputs were compiled and shared with the architect, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive design brief rooted in the actual needs of Goa’s sporting bodies.
The preliminary concept for the Goa Olympic Bhavan includes a range of facilities such as training classrooms, conference rooms, a multipurpose seminar hall, a library, a Hall of Fame gallery, shared and individual offices for SSAs, a guest house, cafeteria, gym, media centre, equipment storage facility, swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. Emphasis was also placed on universal accessibility for para athletes, eco-friendly infrastructure, adequate parking, and robust control and security features.
Significantly, many stakeholders advocated for the inclusion of a dedicated indoor stadium within the complex to support disciplines that lack permanent venues. Such a facility would enable year-round training camps, host district-level competitions, and serve as the venue for state championships.
GOA President and North Goa MP Shripad Naik has extended his full support for the project, assuring the stakeholders of his assistance in securing land and fast-tracking necessary approvals.
Once completed, the Goa Olympic Bhavan is expected to serve as a central hub for the state’s sporting community—offering not just administrative and infrastructural support, but also acting as a catalyst for the promotion and development of sports in Goa. The initiative marks a visionary step toward professionalising and unifying sports governance and athlete development under one roof.
