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Goa's Tennis Revolution
With better infrastructure, more investment, Goa has potential to nurture tennis champions, say local stakeholders.
The rise of professional tennis in Goa has been exponential, with several popular state-ranking tournaments boasting high participation rates being hosted in Goa over the past few years.
However, with players across age groups in Goa taking the Olympic-level sport seriously, tennis stakeholders in the state are batting for more training facilities to cater to the rising count of tennis enthusiasts.
According to former India tennis player Natasha Palha Soares, the last five years specifically have seen an exponential growth in the number of tennis players in Goa. She reckons that the interest generated in the sport should coincide with greater investment by local sports authorities.
“It is high time that we have more tournaments taking place and an efficient state ranking system implemented to encourage the spirit of competition. There are several tennis academies in the state as compared to a few years ago, which is a boon,” said Soares.
Sameer Kakodkar, vice president of the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA) and director of DB Bandodkar & Sons Group, which is partnering with the iconic Panjim Gymkhana to host the ongoing debut edition of the Bandodkar Panjim Gymkhana Open 2024, a state ranking tennis tournament, stated that the Association has done considerable work in popularising the sport.
“With a bit of impetus from stakeholders, Goa can become the tennis hub of India. The past few years have seen young players take up the sport across Goa. This is the right time for the sport to grow in Goa,” said Kakodkar.
Bulu Godinho, secretary of the GSTA, also shed light on the roadmap envisioned by the Association to contribute to Goa’s tennis ecosystem.
“GSTA has proposed to the government the establishment of four courts in each taluka, with at least two covered courts, across six to seven talukas. This initiative aims to address the seasonal interruption caused by monsoons, which currently hampers tennis activities for about six months annually, prompting players to seek training opportunities elsewhere,” stated Godinho.
Avadhut Palekar, head coach of the Old Goa-based APTA Tennis Academy, also noted the widespread interest in tennis and an increase in attendance at tennis academies by youth, largely brought on by the emergence of housing complexes and the recent hosting of the National Games in Goa.
“Academies provide a platform for players of all ages to come and improve their skills by offering modern coaching techniques and organising competitions to enable players to test their abilities in diverse environments and on various surfaces,” said Palekar.
Vidhi Naik, a 14-year-old tennis player who represented Goa at the 66th Under-19 National School Games held in Delhi in 2023 and was selected for a training camp with the state women’s team for the National Games 2023 in Goa, has developed a sincere love for the sport, which she attributes to her coaches and mentors in the state.
“My tennis journey began when I was 10 years old. My coaches have taught me the importance of discipline and hard work and have guided me through the ups and downs of my competitive journey. I have also learned that no matter the result, I should always adhere to the ethics of the game like a true sportswoman,” said Naik.
Parents, too, seek greater intervention by the state’s sports authorities to enable their children to practice tennis in a professional setting. “I see several budding tennis players participating in various tournaments who are honing their skills thanks to the rising interest in tennis in Goa. The government, therefore, needs to install more academies across the state to aid young players in reaching their full potential in professional tennis,” said Smita Soni, whose daughter, Nethra, is participating in the ongoing Bandodkar - Panjim Gymkhana Open 2024.
With scores of youngsters like Vidhi and Nethra eager to succeed in the racquet sport, it is crucial to provide training facilities for such young talent in various parts of the state. Better infrastructure, more tournaments and efficient sports administration may well ensure that Goa’s existing tennis talent has sufficient space and resources to develop their skills and compete globally.
