Khelo Goa Centres Government of Goa – Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa
Khelo Goa Centres Government of Goa
Problem
- Rural athletes lacked access to expert coaching and structured training.
- Financial constraints limited access to nutritional support and sports equipment.
- Travel to training centres was burdensome for athletes from remote areas.
- Insufficient exposure to tournaments and advanced skill-building mechanisms.
- Underutilization of local sports talent due to limited capacity-building initiatives.
Solution
- Launched Khelo Goa Centres in Sattari, Bicholim, and Ponda Talukas with a day-boarding format.
- Provided expert NSNIS-certified coaching across Kabaddi, Archery, and Volleyball.
- Offered nutrition support, kits, and infrastructure in proximity to athlete residences.
- Conducted fortnightly and monthly fitness and skill tests.
- Ensured performance monitoring and exposure to state and national-level tournaments.
Outcomes
- 120 athletes selected out of 400 during trials in 2024.
- 21 out of 30 archery trainees qualified for national-level teams.
- Athletes participated in Sub-Junior Nationals (Jaipur) and Mini Nationals (Guntur).
- Plans initiated to scale centres to all 12 talukas, benefiting 480+ athletes.
- Positive athlete response due to proximity and reduced travel time.
SKOCH Award Nominee
Category: State Government – Administrative Reforms Department
Sub-Category: secState Government – Administrative Reforms Department
Project: Khelo Goa Centres Government of Goa
Start Date: 2-20-2024
Organisation: Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa
Respondent: Ajay Gaude
www.dsya.goa.gov.in
Level: Club Star
Video
See Presentation
Gallery
Case Study
Khelo Goa Centres
The Government of Goa, under the leadership of Hon. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, launched Khelo Goa Centres to unlock rural sporting talent. Conceived in the 2024 Budget and operational by December 2024, the initiative set up day-boarding centres in three talukas—Sattari, Bicholim, and Ponda—addressing the long-standing gap in coaching and facilities for aspiring athletes.
Unlike residential academies, these centres allow athletes to stay close to home, balancing academics with structured sports training. Trials attracted over 400 aspirants, of which 120 were selected across Kabaddi, Archery, and Volleyball. The choice of disciplines reflected local sporting traditions, past performance, and availability of trained coaches. Professional coaching, backed by NSNIS-certified experts, was supplemented with infrastructure including training kits, equipment, and nutrition-focused meals. Athlete progress was monitored through fortnightly fitness checks, monthly skill reviews, and psychological training, ensuring holistic development.
The most remarkable success emerged in Archery: 21 of the 30 athletes progressed to represent Goa nationally, with selections for the Sub-Junior Nationals in Jaipur and Mini Nationals in Guntur. Kabaddi and Volleyball players also demonstrated marked improvements in agility, skills, and competitive temperament.
The initiative was coordinated by Mr. Arvind B. Khutkar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, whose leadership streamlined inter-departmental coordination, vendor partnerships, and coach deployment. Challenges—such as securing certified coaches in rural areas and ensuring steady supply of kits and meals—were addressed through decentralised planning and resource optimisation.
Encouraged by success, the government has sanctioned 12 new centres across all talukas, expanded sports disciplines, and digitised performance monitoring systems. This scalable, athlete-centric model positions Goa as a rising force in Indian sports while offering a replicable blueprint for other states.
For more information, please contact:
Ajay Gaude at Urwithajay87@gmail.com
(The content on the page is provided by the Exhibitor)