Seminar on FIFA World Cup in Goa

Panaji: The 34th National Convention of the Sports Journalists` Federation of India is to be held in Goa

from May 5 to 9 and, among the highlights of the five-day meet, is the FIFA World Cup 2010 seminar to be held on May 7 ahead of the mega event starting on June 11 in South Africa. Football Olympians S S Narayan and Fortunato Franco, AIFF Player of the Decade (1985-95), ex-India goalkeeper Brahmanand Shankawalkar and former India forward Bruno Countinho are the panelists at the seminar, a media release from SJFI said today. The convention, to be attended by around 100 sports journalists representing 16 states including members of Sports Journalists` Association of Goa, would also feature discussions on the future of Indian cricket (May 5), the Olympic Gold Quest project (May 6) and Indian rugby (May 8), the release said. Former national cricket selection panel chief and ex-India stumper Kiran More, seasoned first class cricketer Amol Muzumdar, veteran boxing administrator Kishen Narsi and former Indian hockey captain - Olympian Viren Rasquinha (CEO, Olympic Gold Quest), will be among key speakers. Greg Davey, Development Manger, Rugby India will make a presentation on India`s preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi in October, the release said. V M Prabhu Desai, Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa, would be the chief guest at the inaugural session on May 6. Competitions on a zonal basis for the the J K Bose Twenty20 cricket tournament, A C Bali Table Tennis Tournament and the ESPN-Star Penalty Kicks competition are the other highlights of the convention, the release said. In a special message to the SJFI, Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, M S Gill said, "I find that a very impressive four-day programme has been made out and it should be a fine opportunity for sports journalists and sportspersons to have a dialogue on matters of national interest." The convention is being held in Goa for the first time. The cricket tournament will be held at Panjim Gymkhana and SAG ground, Campal. Table tennis tournament and penalty kicks competition would take place at the SAG complex, the release added. PTI