Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday defended the proposed ₹28 crore indoor stadium project at Balram Residential High School, Amone, stating that the facility was being developed for the benefit of the people of Canacona and not for personal use.
Addressing the inaugural function of the three day “Aamdar Chasak 1.0” tournament at the newly inaugurated Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) grounds at Shristhal, Tawadkar said the proposed indoor stadium would allow sports activities to continue throughout the year, including during the monsoon season.
“The ₹28 crore indoor stadium coming up at Balram Residential High School, Amone, Poinguinim is not for my personal use, but for the people of Canacona,” Tawadkar said while responding to criticism surrounding the project.
The Sports Minister said the State government was planning to establish sports schools and specialised sports academies in Goa and argued that residential schools were necessary for such a model to function effectively.
According to Tawadkar, regular training schedules beginning as early as 6 am were difficult for non residential students to attend on a daily basis, making residential campuses more practical for sports academies.
He stated that the Sports Authority of Goa currently had over 120 coaches and existing infrastructure that remained under utilised because students found it difficult to attend training sessions early in the morning.
“State policy is to ensure proper utilisation of available coaches and infrastructure,” Tawadkar said.
The Minister said the indoor stadium at Amone would support year round sporting activities and events, particularly during Goa’s prolonged rainy season.
Tawadkar also announced that the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and SAG were in the process of acquiring around 56,000 square metres of land belonging to the Goa Housing Board at Mokhardamol-Bhatpal through a land exchange proposal involving SAG land at Dhargal in Pernem.
He said the government planned to develop another sports academy in Canacona along with a swimming pool complex once the land transfer process was completed in the next few months.
Providing updates on sports infrastructure projects in the constituency, Tawadkar said work on the Poinguinim ground at Potkem was progressing and the facility was expected to be inaugurated before December 2026.
He further said Talpona ground was also being developed as a sports venue, while grounds at Karvem in Gaondongrim and Agonda would be refurbished at an estimated cost of around ₹30 lakh each.
The Minister also announced plans to upgrade the Shri Gaitonde Mini Sports Complex at Chaudi with additional facilities including a stage, fencing and toilet block.
The event was attended by Sports Authority of Goa Executive Director Ajay Gaude, local panchayat representatives and former councillors from the Canacona Municipal Council.
