Panaji: Goa has never had a home-grown Olympian, but when the greatest sporting event is held in India for the first time, possibly in 2036, govt hopes the state can open its account.It’s not just a fancy wish. There’s a plan too.State govt will launch Mini Olympics Goa or MOG (love in Konkani) later this year, to ensure that Goa does not get left out when the sporting spectacle arrives in India for the first time.“This is our 10-year plan and we are focusing on talented children in the age group of 12-15,” said director of sports and youth affairs Ajay Gaude. “In 10 years’ time, when the Olympics are held here, it will be these children who will have a chance of being among the best. Focusing on those who are actively pursuing the sport in their twenties does not make sense for this project. We need to keep our eyes on those for the future.”‘Goa’ has had steady representation at the Olympics since four Goans were part of the Indian hockey team that won gold at the 1948 Olympics in London. Four Goans were also part of the Indian team when women’s hockey made its debut at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Mary D’Souza, the first Indian woman to attend the quadrennial event and the first to represent the country in two disciplines—athletics and hockey—is also a Goan, as is Neville D’Souza, the first Asian footballer to score a hat-trick at the Olympics.However, all the Olympians were born, brought up and trained outside the state. Those born here, like Fortunato Franco, migrated to then Bombay from Colvale when he was just four.Badminton star Tanisha Crasto was born in Dubai and moved to India in 2016. She later represented Goa, winning the junior and senior nationals multiple times.“Our best chance to see Goan athletes at the Olympics is to start planning now and provide them with all the support. This is a project that is being implemented for the first time. We will spot the best talent from here and groom them. If they have to train outside the state, at the best academies, we will provide the funds. I can say with certainty that support will not be in short supply,” said Gaude, who is also executive director, Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).Planned every two years, MOG will be held in Oct-Nov during the Diwali vacation and will be restricted to participation from school-going children. Events that feature at the Olympics will be considered.“The competition will be in clusters rather than individual schools. We are still working on the clusters, but it could be based on talukas where schools come together. Care will be taken to ensure that there is a balance. We might have to club some talukas to ensure that the competition is not uneven,” said Gaude.Backed by PM Narendra Modi, India has launched an aggressive bid to stage the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad. Only three Asian nations—Japan, China, and South Korea—have ever hosted the Olympics and Paralympic Games. A final IOC decision on the hosts is not expected before late 2027.
