A Legacy Built Over Decades
The story of ‘Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’ will certainly appeal to those who would like to delve into the past glory of the city and its surroundings. In the early decades of the century, the limits on the western side of the city were extending not beyond the old Medical School. Two and a half kilometers away from these limits, lay the virgin riverine beach of Gaspar Dias, which was then much sought after as a summer resort. It is believed that in the year 1921 a small group of jolly and sportive citizens, thought of having a beach retreat, away from the city. After a few meetings, it was decided to begin the activities of the proposed club which was named ‘Clube de Gaspar Dias’ after the existing fort on Sunday, the 25th of April, 1926. As an interim arrangement, a modest shack covered with bamboo mats was erected on a piece of land at Gaspar Dias ceded by the Camotim Mamai family. Here, while the menfolk played card games such as sol, poker, bridge, canasta or leaning over draught or chess boards, the ladies were either busy serving homemade appetizers or doing embroidery or busily engaged in conversation.
In 1934, Mrs. Josephine Hogaz, an American Industrial magnate introduced in Goa the game of tennis and provided the necessary finance to build the first Tennis Court which proved very popular with the members of the club. In the thirties, the club developed several recreational facilities, besides becoming an entertainment center, for the members. By building another tennis court, tennis became the major activity of the club, and hence, it came to be known as ‘Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’. During the presidentship of Oliveira Chaves, who was the Director of Post and Telegraph, the stability of the club was achieved which had hitherto been run as a family affair. For this purpose. the bye-laws were drafted and finally approved by Portaria (ORDER) No. 609 of 2nd January 1948 published in the Government Gazelle. In 1950, Sridora Caculo, an affluent businessman of the time, built and also funded partially the cost of present premises including the indoor badminton pavillion, while the Casa Social de Camotim Mamai donated additional land, aggregating approx. about 12,000 square meters. From then onwards the Club witnessed an upsurge of sporting, cultural and educational activities which still are a facet of the club’s activities today.
