Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa’s long-standing reputation for sporting excellence received renewed attention as a call was made in the Rajya Sabha to revive and strengthen key disciplines that have shaped the state’s athletic identity. The appeal focused on reinstating Taekwondo training at the SAI Training Centre in Goa and expanding structured support for a range of rapidly growing racket sports.
During the discussion, it was highlighted that Taekwondo has been one of Goa’s most consistent medal-producing disciplines for more than three decades. Local athletes have marked their presence at every National Games since 1994 and continued to perform strongly at major events including the 2015 Kerala National Games and the 37th National Games hosted by Goa in 2023. The discontinuation of Taekwondo training in the 2020 to 2021 period has disrupted the development of numerous committed athletes who relied on sustained coaching and competitive exposure. Restoring the discipline was presented as a critical step to ensure that young talent does not lose momentum and can continue training without further interruption.
Alongside this concern, the rising interest in racket sports across Goa was also underscored. Disciplines such as Badminton, Table Tennis, Tennis, Squash and Pickleball have witnessed increased participation in recent years, supported by the availability of strong infrastructure and a growing pool of promising players. It was noted that Goa’s performances and expanding talent base reflect the need for more advanced training pathways.
The proposal included the establishment of Centres of Excellence dedicated to these sports to provide specialised coaching, scientific training support and long-term athlete development. Such centres would help prepare Goan athletes for upcoming national and international competitions while aligning with the requirements of the approaching Olympic cycle. Strengthened investment in these disciplines was emphasised as essential for elevating local players to higher competitive levels and ensuring that Goa continues to remain an active contributor to India’s broader sporting ambitions.
