AMEY JOSHI
Mr. Sandeep Heble is the Honorary Secretary of Goa Badminton Association and also a member of few clubs which promote sports activities like Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess, Basketball, Football, etc. He is also the State Co-ordinator of Goa RTI Forum where he regularly takes up right to information issues and other various sports related issues as well. Mr Heble is born and brought up in the capital city and is also a member of various city clubs which regularly organise art and cultural events.
Q. In what way are you involved in sports?
I have been in the organising field since last couple of decades. After serving as a Vice President in Goa Badminton Association for one term, I was elected as the Honorary Secretary last year. Badminton is a very popular sport in India and our association has been taking serious efforts to spread the game to every nook and corner of the state. We are one of the first associations to make pro-active disclosures under the provisions of Section 4(1) of the RTI Act. We have our own website, Facebook Group/Page and Whatsapp groups, where information is regularly updated. This year, we have put in place a fullfledged calendar with Taluka, District and State level tournaments, Annual Awards, Leagues and regular coaching camps. Through the other clubs which I am a part of, we have been organising State Championships in Table Tennis and Chess and this year we organised a Junior State Championship in Basketball also.
Q. How would you describe the sports scenario in Goa?
When it comes to other states in the country, Goa is lagging far behind and a lot needs to be done to raise our standards to National levels. The talent is there but management and policies must be better. Functioning of many associations is very unprofessional.
Q. What you think about the sports scenario in India?
In India, there is no proper system in place to create medal winners which is why we have always fared poorly at the Olympics. Talent spotting and nurturing has to be done from a very young age. Then, there is a need to have good infrastructure for each Olympic sport where India has the potential to excel, build more academies which can give you state-of-the-art training facilities and advanced coaches. Athletes need a good sustained diet plan also. If all this is there, our country will definitely be up there among the best. However, it must be added that some good progress has been made in the last few years, compared to the past where the focus used to be only on Cricket. P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal in Badminton, Vishwanathan Anand in Chess, and others like Dipa Karmakar, Sakshi Malik, Vijender Singh, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, Pankaj Advani and Sunil Chetri are National icons now. There is a large pool of talent available, what the country needs is focus.
Q. What are the problems faced by sportspersons or athletes in Goa?
Problems are aplenty. Though a number of coaches have been appointed by the Government, their performances are not evaluated. There is no proper mechanism in place to supervise the coaching program and monitor progress made by players. There are regular complaints of favouritism in selections. Prize money is not adequate. Goa’s sports policy relies more on numbers rather than on efforts. Sports marks must be based on periodic physical assessment of children and not on mere participation. Travelling reservations are not done properly whenever players go to participate in outstation tournaments. There is no sports quota in jobs and if it is there, it is not adequate. Infrastructure in many sports disciplines is simply non-existent.
Q. There are many leagues taking place in Goa such as Goa Pro League, Goa Corporate League, even recently Goa Kabaddi League was organised. Your comments?
Leagues are a good way to get brands and corporates to invest in sports. The Goa Kabaddi League which was held recently at SAG ground Campal, was well organised and it was good to see large crowds there. The event was done very professionally. All Associations must try to organise at least one League in a professional manner every year. In Badminton, this season, we have announced Sub Junior, Junior and Senior Professional Leagues and we are optimistic on their success.
Q. Do you think the sports associations are doing enough for the promotion of sports and athletes?
Many sports associations are faring very poorly. They do not even organise one State Championship in a year. There is no proper structure to admit new members in their fold. Membership policies are not transparent. Even athletes who have excelled in their respective sports are kept out. Those who are in charge of their sports associations have turned these bodies into their personal fiefdom. There is no proper club structure and elections are held in an extremely non transparent manner. Goa and India lacks a proper sports law to govern sports bodies.
Q. What is the road ahead for sports in Goa?
With the National Games likely to come up in Goa next year, we will see much more investment in infrastructure which will be a boon to sports persons. However, Goa cannot depend simply on Government support. Associations must make serious efforts to garner corporate support and need to function in a much more transparent and accountable manner. A sports law to govern sports bodies needs to be put in place. Schools need to take efforts to make use of their infrastructure better and have sustained yearly sports educational and training programme. The Government must focus on a sustained training and coaching programme and invest more in sports and its infrastructure.
