MARGAO: PWD Minister Digambar Kamat has stressed the importance of creating inclusive spaces that encourage greater participation of women and strengthen their role across all sectors.
He was speaking at the inauguration of GCA’s Pink Centre at the Margao Cricket Club (MCC) ground, Margao, on Tuesday.
Also present were Goa Cricket Association (GCA) President Mahesh Dessai, GCA Secretary Tulshidas Shetye, Vice President Paresh Fadte, Vipul Phadke, Yogesh Naik, Anup Borkar, and other dignitaries.
In his address, Kamat congratulated the MCC for taking the bold decision to open South Goa’s first Pink Centre. He lauded the initiative as a significant step towards empowering women in sports and reaffirmed his full support to Nari Shakti.
“GCA has introduced this Pink Centre concept, which is similar to the government’s Pink Force and pink taxis for women. I congratulate Mahesh Dessai and his team for this concept. This goes in conformity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where women are going to play an important role,” he said.
“This centre will benefit many girls and women. The sky is the limit. It is a golden opportunity for women cricketers to rise up. Boys and men are mostly in the cricket limelight; this should not happen—women too should shine. Make sincere efforts, play with dedication, sincerity, and honesty, and you will reach anywhere in the world,” he added.
Dessai said this is the third Pink Centre after Sanquelim and Porvorim, and another four are to be opened.
“Many cricketers have emerged from MCC, like Hemant Angle, Vinod Damaskar, Guru Amonkar, and Eknath Kamat, who was a good left-arm bowler. I learnt a lot from him; he gave us the opportunity to be members of MCC. The entire team at GCA is working hard. Never before have such centres been opened,” he said.
He also advised young cricketers to “stay focused, believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, be humble in life, and you are the winner.”
