MAPUSA
The government’s decision to permit the Senior National Kickboxing Championship 2021 in the State, which was denied permission in Maharashtra, has kicked up much dust, particularly because of the looming spectre of the third wave of Covid-19.
The four-day event will be held at Peddem-Mapusa from August 26 to 29, where over 1,000 contestants are expected to participate.
The state administration appears to have been very reticent about the event, with permission for the championship being granted at the last minute to keep it under the wraps.
Mapusa councillor Shashank Narvekar said he first got a whiff of the event being organised in Goa on August 9 and started making discreet inquiries with local authorities.
He said the deputy collector of Bardez, who is responsible for the law and order, and the Mapusa police were totally ignorant about the event until a couple of days ago.
“I personally met the deputy collector on August 16 to inquire about the event and was informed that no such permission was or will be granted,” Narvekar said.
He said along with other locals they made representations to the collector, deputy collector, DGP, Mapusa Municipal Council, Mapusa police, etc. to cancel the event but no action was forthcoming.
“Kickboxing is a full-contact combat sport. Around 1,500 participants from all over India are expected to participate in the event. Several of them will be in the junior category below the age of 18 and not eligible for vaccination,” Narvekar said, expressing fears over Covid spread.
He said North Goa Collector Ajit Roy has granted permission to the organiser which was completely against the order issued by the District Magistrate, North Goa, wherein public gatherings are prohibited.
He said a Pune-based organiser, who has been denied permission in Maharashtra, has been given permission in Goa.
“We are not against sports events, but in the last year we have lost so many people and now we are getting over the second wave. We are already getting warnings for third waves.”
“In this event, around 1500 children between the age group of 15- 18 are participating who are not vaccinated. How will the Sports Authority of Goa keep check of movement of participants?” the councillor asked.
Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa V M Prabhudesai said the organisers have taken permission to use their stadiums in Peddem by following all the standard guidelines and SOPs.
“They will allow 50 people at a time and once they finish with the competition, the batch of another 50 will be allowed inside,” Prabhudesai said.
