Goa, a popular tourist destination welcoming eight million visitors annually to its pristine beaches, cultural sites, and hinterlands, is now focusing on cultivating sports tourism. This ambition aligns with the state’s hosting of the 37th National Games, set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 26 at 6.30 p.m.
While football has traditionally been a favorite sport among Goans, beach volleyball is also gaining prominence along the coastal areas. Additionally, the state boasts several indigenous sports that are played with passion.
Goa’s football history dates back to the Portuguese era, and in 1923, it hosted the first international football match in India: Britain vs. Portugal. Eminent football legends like Padma Shri Brahmanand Sankhwalkar and Arjuna awardee Bruno Coutinho have brought recognition to the state through their national and international achievements.
According to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in addition to spiritual and medical tourism, Goa is set to emerge as a sports tourism hub. He expressed the government’s commitment to support national events hosted in the state.
Also Read: Australia Wins Toss, Chooses to Bat First as Ishan Replaces Unwell Gill in Men’s ODI World Cup
Goa boasts hundreds of sports clubs actively engaged in promoting sports and nurturing young talent. Chief Minister Sawant envisions the creation of a thriving sports ecosystem in the state, aiming to attract sports enthusiasts from around the world. Goa has successfully hosted events like Ironman, drawing athletes globally, and the World Table Tennis event with participants from 22 countries.
Sawant emphasized the state’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure developed for the National Games for use by sports associations and national federations throughout the year. The ultimate goal is to elevate the status of sports in Goa.
Before the commencement of the National Games, Goa is set to host the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Goa Challenge 2023, organized by Volleyball World (VW) in collaboration with FIVB. This event will take place at Varca Beach in South Goa from October 19 and will feature 31 international teams from 40 countries in the qualification draw.
Chief Minister Sawant expressed pride in hosting this tournament and highlighted the importance of such events in providing opportunities to local athletes. He believes that after the beach volleyball event, Goa will be better positioned to promote sports tourism, further enhancing the state’s tourism sector.
Also Read: Sabalenka crashes out, Swiatek and Gauff into China Open semis
Sawant also stressed that the National Games will contribute significantly to promoting tourism in the coastal state. The event will feature 43 sports disciplines, including five indigenous sports: Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Lagori, and yoga.
The games will be held at 28 venues across Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Colva, Vasco, and Ponda. A total of 10,806 athletes are expected to participate, with women making up approximately 49 percent of the participants.
Sawant called upon the public to support the event’s success and assured that arrangements would be made to broadcast the events through various platforms to reach a wider audience, inspiring the youth.
He concluded by expressing the honor and pride felt by Goans in hosting such a significant event, encouraging everyone to contribute to making it a memorable success for years to come.
