Daijiworld Media Network- Margao
Margao, Feb 22: Tennis legend Leander Paes has expressed his strong belief that Goa has the potential to produce an Olympic champion and revealed plans to establish an academic sports school in the state within the next 18 months.
"As a community, we can come together and 100 percent build an Olympic champion from Goa," Paes stated while speaking at a meet-and-greet session at BPS Hall, Margao, held on the sidelines of the ongoing Baale BPS Open 2025 tennis tournament.
The former Olympian and International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee emphasized his vision to empower young athletes by providing world-class sporting facilities with a holistic approach, incorporating mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
"Even after 40 years of professional tennis, my passion remains empowering the youth through sport. My goal is to encourage children to take up Olympic sports, particularly tennis, and establish training centres where they can practice in professional playing arenas while also gaining knowledge of sports science," he said.
The event saw a strong turnout of tennis enthusiasts, with dignitaries such as Margao MLA and former chief minister Digambar Kamat, BPS sports club president Yogiraj Kamat, and sports chairman Vikram Verlekar in attendance.
Paes, whose father Vece Paes hails from South Goa, highlighted the family-oriented spirit of Goa as a driving force in shaping him into the sportsman he is today.
"No matter how much we travel for education, work, or sport in search of better facilities and infrastructure, our hearts are always at home. My roots, my upbringing, my taste in cuisine, fashion, heart, and mind will always be that of a Goan boy," he expressed.
Offering advice to aspiring tennis players, Paes shared an inspiring perspective on success and failure in sports.
"I have lost 74.3 percent of every tennis match I have played and won only 25.7 percent. The key message here is that in life, you may lose more than you win, but what matters is making your wins count," he remarked.
With his deep Goan connection and commitment to nurturing young talent, Paes' initiative is set to be a game-changer for the state's sporting landscape.