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Bandodkar Family Visits Panjim Gymkhana, Praises Growth and Modernisation


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panjim Gymkhana, one of Goa’s most prominent sporting institutions, has witnessed remarkable development in recent years, evolving into a comprehensive hub for multiple sports, leisure activities and hospitality. Established over six decades ago by Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar, the institution was originally conceived primarily as a cricket facility.


During a recent visit, family members of the late Dayanand Bandodkar, fondly known as Bhausaheb, including his daughter Kranti Rao and grandchildren Sameer Kakodkar and Yogesh Vengurlekar, toured the Panjim Gymkhana premises and expressed their delight at the progress and modernisation of the prestigious club.

The visit marked an emotional and symbolic moment, reflecting the fulfilment of Bhausaheb’s vision to create a world-class sporting facility in the heart of Panaji. The extensive upgrades now support a range of sports disciplines, training programmes, leisure activities and hospitality services, transforming Panjim Gymkhana into a vibrant centre for athletic excellence and community engagement.

President of Panjim Gymkhana, Manoj Caculo, along with members of the managing committee, briefed the visiting family members on the club’s enhanced sporting infrastructure, coaching facilities and athlete development initiatives. The delegation was informed about the institution’s continued focus on nurturing sporting talent and creating opportunities for young athletes across Goa.

While Panjim Gymkhana has diversified its offerings over the years, cricket remains a core focus area. With increased professionalism and expert guidance, the institution continues to prioritise the development of cricketers capable of representing Goa and India at higher levels.

The visit reaffirmed Panjim Gymkhana’s enduring legacy as a cornerstone of Goa’s sporting culture and its commitment to carrying forward the founder’s dream through sustained growth and excellence.

EduConnect

Exercise at the Heart of National Sports Policy 2025: Jovito Lopes Emphasizes Holistic Health at GVM College


July 2025 — In a landmark discussion held at GVM College, Ponda, senior journalist and former sports administrator Jovito Lopes stressed that exercise and physical activity are not just lifestyle choices, but now officially national priorities, embedded deeply in the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025.

The event, hosted by Karuna Football Foundation (Ponda) in collaboration with Civitas (Panjim), brought together faculty members of GVM’s Gopal Govind Poy Raiturcar College of Commerce and Economics, Dr Dada Vaidya College of Education, and SNJ Aguiar High School, emphasizing the integration of sports into everyday life.

Lopes explained that Khelo Bharat Niti, as the NSP is also known, seeks to build a physically active society aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). The policy promotes grassroots sports, infrastructure development, coaching ecosystems, and most importantly, mass participation in physical activity.

“The link between sedentary lifestyles and chronic diseases is undeniable,” Lopes said, quoting global studies that demonstrate a 39% reduced risk of early death with regular physical activity.

Key stats and messages shared:

  • Most adolescents and adults do not meet recommended activity levels.
  • Adults (18-64) should engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity weekly.
  • Regular exercise helps prevent obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and mental decline.
  • Daily steps—even modest ones—can significantly reduce the risk of early mortality and cardiovascular events.

Quoting Dr Bert Mandelboum, Lopes added:

“Exercise is probably the most robust drug we have—it leads to longevity.”

Also speaking at the event, Prof Teotone Vaz, Prof Jojen Mathew, Krishna Shetye, Geeta Shastri, and Betty D’Silva endorsed the policy’s grassroots vision and advocated for public fitness infrastructure like open-air gyms in parks.

The takeaway? “It’s never too late to start”—a message that resonated across age groups and institutions.

This session marked an important step in reshaping the role of education institutions in India’s sporting and health future, turning policy into grassroots action.