GOA shuts door on imports for National Games

Panaji: The Goa Olympic Association (GOA) has stopped state associations from fielding outstation players for the 36th National Games in Gujarat.
Eight top teams in each discipline are allowed to take part in the National Games. Several state associations have earned qualification after some impressive performances at previous National championships. However, unlike in the past, GOA has told state associations that they cannot include imports.
The canoeing squad, which had players from Madhya Pradesh, will not be part of the Goa team, while the lone fencer, Chingakham Jetlee Singh, has also been left out from the final squad that will take part at the National Games.
The Goa kabaddi team made history by making it the semifinals for the first time at the Nationals in July, before succumbing to the might of defending champions Railways in their last-four clash. The team, however, had seven outstation players, none of whom can now be part of the state team for the National Games.
“The players did not even have any Goa domicile,” said GOA general secretary Gurudutta Bhakta. “We cannot allow imports, if they are not based here. The canoeing team is from Bhopal and the fencer from north India.”
Squash, too, will not be part of the Goa contingent after being told that they had not qualified.
“We were kept in the dark that the Goa teams had not qualified. We had to face a lot of difficulties and financial losses too. We have asked the association for an explanation,” said Bhakta.
The Goa Squash Association had selected a nine-member team.
Goa will now take part in 13 disciplines of football (women), mallakhamb, kabaddi, cycling, judo, wushu, boxing, triathlon, athletics, beach volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and aquatics.
‘Team Goa' was accorded a send-off during a function in Miramar on Thursday.
Sports minister Govind Gaude, Union minister and GOA president Shripad Naik, secretary (sports) Ajit Roy, SAG executive director Ajay Gaude, Bhakta and chef de mission Anagha Warlikar were present for the event.s