GCA inaugurates cricket coaching centre at Savoi-Verem

savoi Verem: Strengthening grassroots cricket development in the state, the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) on Saturday inaugurated a new coaching centre at the Panchayat Ground, Savoi-Verem, Ponda, in association with Madanant Cricket Club.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by GCA secretary Tulshidas Shetye, vice-president Paresh Fadte, joint secretary Anant Shambu Naik, former GCA president Vipul Phadke, Madanant Cricket Club secretary Hemant Kansar, former club president Pramod Bandodkar, along with Ramdas Mainkar, Sudeep Abhisheki, and Sudesh Tari.

Highlighting GCA’s commitment to nurturing young talent, Shetye said, “We have provided the best of facilities, including a coach. I urge you all to learn to play well. We want at least two players to represent Savoi-Verem in the U-14, U-16, U-19 or senior teams.”

Naik stated that the association plans to expand its grassroots footprint further by setting up more such centres across the state.

“When the club officials came to us and sought to start a centre in Savoi-Verem, our GCA president and secretary gave the approval for it. Whatever maximum facilities and infrastructure are needed, we will provide you. We have started around 20 centres; we have also started two ‘pink centres’ and more will be started. I urge the players to learn the basics. You need a lot of practice. We need boys from Savoi-Verem to play for GCA,” he said.

Providing an update on the response to the initiative, kAnsar said that since the centre commenced operations in March, around 19 boys have enrolled.

“More boys will attend from surrounding areas as word spreads. We always wanted a club here in Savoi-Verem and this has come to fruition. The GCA has provided nets and a pitch under the new committee and we are very thankful to them. The boys are very interested. We want the boys from rural areas to rise up. We are seeing players getting famous in the IPL and we hope one of our boys can play in the IPL or for the state. We wanted a centre. We had organised a camp in Diwali through the GCA. Seeing the enthusiasm of the boys, we decided to start the centre,” he said.

Bandodkar underscored the challenges faced by local youth, stating that financial constraints have often limited opportunities for aspiring cricketers.

“With the new committee in place, we have high expectations that they will help us as the boys are from low-income families,” he said.