Six years on, School winning sporting events yet to receive prize money from DSYA

PANAJI

For the Nehru Hockey the winning team gets a kit as they represent the state in Delhi Nehru Hockey Nationals and the same is the case with the Subroto Mukherjee football winning schools. The players are also given camp allowance ahead of the Delhi event.

What are the incentives for other school teams winning different state championships? Hold your breath......the children get just a certificate and a trophy.

There is a difference between what is on paper and what is implemented on the ground.

The Goa government through a notification had come up with Incentive Scheme for promotion of Sports & Games through Prize Money in the 2013-14 season.

The objective was to motivate the schools to participate in sports and improve their performance by utilizing the Prize Money to purchase the required equipment and kit.

And the eligibility the Scheme was applicable to all Schools/Higher Secondary Schools registered with the Directorate of Education and are the Winners and Runners up in the inter School U-14, U-17. & U-19 Mini/Secondary & Higher Secondary School Competitions for both Boys and Girls organised during a given financial year for certain sports.

The winning teams were given prizes ranging from Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 to Rs 10,000 in different sports disciplines.

The prize money has been in limbo since 2019 which was implemented through the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, said a number of physical education teachers and heads of institutions.

“The winning team was given cash prize of Rs 20,000, for 1st Runners up Rs 15,000 and 2nd Runners up Rs 10,000, which is stopped post COVID. I personally feel that winning teams irrespective of which ever sports must get at least a kit and the winning school must get some playing equipment, as an encouragement. Cash prize will surely help the institute to provide more for the playing kids,” said Fr. Milchester Furtado, Principal of St Anthony High School Monte De Guirim.

“Without money nothing is possible. If we receive some amount from the DSYA it will be of great help to give better facilities and incentive for the students playing the sports. At the school level they are kids, and giving incentives motivates them to continue what they do,” he added.