Panaji: Rajya Sabha MP, Sadanand Shet Tanavade, along with the entire Goa Olympic Association (GOA) executive committee has been elected unopposed, as evident from the list of valid nominations declared by the returning officer on Monday.The nominations of Tanavade, who represents the Goa Judo Association, along with 12 were found to be valid by returning officer Vithal Naik. Elections will not be needed during the general body meeting on Aug 25.Tanavade replaces Shripad Naik, union minister of state for power and new & renewable energy, who has been GOA president since 2012. It was under his leadership that Goa hosted the Lusofonia Games 2014 and National Games 2023. At 73 years of age, Naik was ineligible to contest as per the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.“Prior to the filing of nominations, about 30 associations met and we decided to unitedly take Goan sports forward,” said Tanavade. “The associations pledged support to us, and that explains why everyone filed nominations together (without an opposing group). I must thank all members, besides Goa Judo Association, for their trust in me.”Sandeep Heble, former secretary of the Goa Badminton Association, will be the new secretary general. He replaces the long-serving Gurudutta Bhakta.“On the eve of filing nominations, representatives of all the associations came together for a get-together along with interaction and brainstorming session, which provided an opportunity to discuss ideas and the way forward for sports in Goa,” said Heble. “The efforts of outgoing secretary general Gurudatta Bhakta to bring all the associations together on a common platform helped pave the way for a consensus. With this unity, our foremost objective now must be to fulfil the long-pending dream of establishing the Goa Olympic Bhavan. It would be a landmark legacy project and a tremendous boon to sportspersons and the sporting fraternity of Goa.”Goa Football Association (GFA) president Caitano Fernandes is among the four vice presidents. He is joined by Sandhya Paliekar (Modern Penthatlon Association of Goa), Sudesh Thakur (Goa Gymnastics Association) and Bhageshri Padloskar (Rifle Shooting Association).“It is a privilege to serve the sporting community of Goa in this new capacity. The GOA plays a vital role in supporting and promoting sport across the state and I look forward to contributing to that mission. My commitment to the sport remains as strong as ever and I will continue to work towards creating the right environment for our athletes and sporting bodies to thrive,” said Caitano.Only two members from the previous committee – Jayesh Naik and Sudesh Thakur – find place in the new panel. Jayesh will continue as treasurer.GOA executive committee: President: Sadanand Shet Tanavade (judo); vice presidents: Caitano Fernandes (football), Sandhya Paliekar (modern pentathlon), Sudesh Thakur (gymnastics), Bhageshri Padloskar (rifle shooting); secretary general: Sandeep Heble (basketball); treasurer: Jayesh Naik (weightlifting); jt. secretary: Manoj Patil (badminton); executive members: Rukmini Kamat (kabaddi), Navin Pai Raikar (taekwondo), Abhay Bhamaikar (hockey), Viplava Bhakta (equestrian) and Akhil Parrikar (athletics).
