Atal Stadium, July 31: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday officially declared open the 57th Goa State Athletics Championship 2026 at Atal Stadium, marking the beginning of the three-day athletics meet organised by the Goa Athletics Association in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).
The championship has been dedicated to the memory of former Chief Minister and former Union Defence Minister Padma Bhushan Manohar Parrikar, in recognition of his significant contributions to Goa’s development and sports infrastructure.
The inaugural ceremony featured an oath-taking ceremony, during which participating athletes pledged to uphold the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and fair play throughout the championship.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant congratulated the Goa Athletics Association for its continued efforts in identifying, nurturing, and promoting athletic talent across the state through its annual flagship event.
Extending his best wishes to all the participants, the Chief Minister encouraged the athletes to compete with dedication, strive for excellence, and make Goa proud through their performances.
The championship is expected to witness participation from athletes representing different districts and institutions across the state, providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their abilities and prepare for higher-level competitions.