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Five centuries ago, when the tentacles of the Portuguese Empire, touched the shore of Kerala, it was an accepted fact in their endeavor, they consolidated themselves on the western coast, with Goa as their entreport, and by wrenching the power from the Adilshah of Bijapur. They lent a helping hand to the various religious orders to erect imposing churches & convents in the city of Old Goa, the then hub of activity and the capital city of  the Adilshahi empire. Simultaneously they tried to secure the city of Goa by fortifying it all around, to avoid the impending dangers from the neighboring province, as well as the threat from the enemy ships.

The only defense, then erected on river Mandovi, was the fortress of Reis Magos, which was called FORTE REAL (Royal Fortress). This fort was constructed by Viceroy Dom Afonso de Noronha in 1551-54. The month of the river was very narrow, and the present width is the consequence of erosion and the sand bars.

Panaji or Panjim, as it was then called, was an extension  of the village of Taleigao. This area was full of sand dunes and marshy saline sand and had a number of rivulets giving it an appearance of a cluster of islands (TISAWADI – thirty divisions). Sparsely inhabited, the only significant building was the Palacio of Adilshah, which was used by the Portuguese to keep vigil on the river. Facing a probable threat by the Dutch Fleet, the king of Portugal instructed the Viceroy to fortify the city Goa. It was these directions, that lead to the construction of the FORT GASPAR DIAS.

The constant threat of an attack by Sambhji, in 1683, shifted the attention of the Portuguese towards the protection of the mainland areas. It was mooted to shift the capital to Marmugao. It was this strain, that prompted Marques de Pombai, to order Governor Filpe de Valadares Souto Mayor in 1774, to demolish the Fort Gaspar Dias. For some reason it was not demolished. On 6^th September 1799, a fleet of 6 English Ships disembarked at Aguada and occupied the Fortresses Aguada, Gaspar Dias, Cabo and Mormugao for almost 15 years up to 1814. When they left, they had done considerable damage to these Forts.

On 10^th February 1835, during the Civil War days of Prefecture, the First Regiment of Infantry and the Artillery Battalion which was stationed in Panjim, made counter revolutionary movement. This rebellion was quashed and the Fortress put to flames. Seven years later, the Fortress was restored and partly reconstructed in 1842.

A committee created by an Order dated 4^th February 1869, suggested that the Gaspar Dias Fort was not of battle use and that the same could be converted into sanitary quarters for convalescing military personnel. And so served as a sanitarium in 1878.

Later not much is known about Fort Gaspar Dias and so it crumbled with neglect and was ultimately razed to the ground to make way for development works for the road to Dona Paula.

According to Jeronymo Osorio do Castro, at the beginning of the century, this area served as a burial ground for Hindus and Muslims, and a place for the city’s garbage!!.

The original name of the beautiful beach was Praia de Gaspar Dias. It got attached this name of Miramar (Miragem de Mar – Mirage of the Sea), by virtue of an existing hotel by the name HOTEL MIRAMAR built by Luciano Roncon, who had in this hotel a half for Ball Room Dancing. This attracted the young and old as a place for merrymaking.

With the major hub of activity now shifting to Panjim,, there was a felt a need by certain quarters of the Fidalgos for some entertainment and for a place to relax, in the evenings. Since this area near Prai Gaspar Dias was reclusive from the main city. In the year 1921, some like minded gentlemen took the initiative and met to lay a foundation of a Clubhouse at Gaspar Dias. Finally, on 25^th April 1926, a shack constructed of local materials like bamboo mats etc. was put up. This modest clubhouse was then named “Clube Gaspar Dias:, obviously the same was located on Gaspar Dias Beach. Thus came to birth premier Clubhouse in Goa, built with the sole intention of providing a place Panaji and surrounding areas. 

The land for the Clube de Gaspar Dias was generously gifted by the Joint Family of CAMOTIM MAMAI, when Shri Subraia P.C. Mamai was the Head of the family. The main activities of the Club were Card games such as Poker, Sol, Bridge, Canasta or Board games such as Draught or Chess. With the men engrossed in their games or in conference, the accompanying ladies busied them themselves in embroidery or in conversation, whilst serving home made appetizers.

During the summer season, many amateur musical groups made their appearance and enthralled the crowds that gathered during the weekends. With the growing popularity of this place, a need for privacy arose. With this in mind, a few years later a wooden structure was built to offer exclusivity to it’s members frequenting the clubhouse.

Governor Massano de Amorim patronized this Club frequently on many an occasion. There were many such dignitaries to whom the Club has played Host.

In 1934, Mrs. Josephine Hogaz, an American Industrial Magnate, introduced the game of Tennis in Goa. She also provided the finance for the making of the first tennis court in the Club premises. This game became very popular with its members. When in 30’s, along with many other recreational facilities, another Tennis court was built, and the game of tennis became the main game of the members. The Club then inherited the name of “CLUBE TENNIS DE GASPAR DIAS”.

Though sadly, the name of the first President is not available, during 1974, under the Presidentship of Oliviera Chavas, who was the Director of Post & Telegraphs, the activities of the Club became more organized. The Bye-Laws were suitably drafted and approved by the Order (Portaria) No. 609 of 2^nd January 1948 and published in the Government Gazette.

The Golden age of the Club came in 1950, when Sridora Caculo, an affluent businessman was approached and agreed to construct a full fledged Club  house, and also partially funded the costs. 

The Casa Social de Camotim Mamai, further donated additional land, making the total area of the Club to approx 12,000 sq.mtrs. The present premises of the Club, housing the indoor Badminton Court is a mute testimony of the initiative taken then. From then on, the Club witnessed an upsurge of activities from sports to educational, and which are still on the main agenda of the Club.

It is important to note here that at the time of liberation of Goa in 1961, there were just 11 members on the Rolls of CLUBE TENNIS DE GASPAR DIAS. They being Shri. Vaicuntrao Dempo, Shri Anselmo Rodrigues, Shri Robert Hepp, Shri Nathurmal Melwaqni (Treasurer, Shri.M.M. Desouza, Shri Mickey Desouza (Secretary) and Shri Jorge Renato Fernanades. They may be considered as the lifeline of the Club, in carrying its tradition from the Portuguese regime to a free Goa. After liberation, the revised bye-laws of the Club were finalized in August 1966 and a notification to this effect was published in the Government Gazette dated 8^th September 1966. In keeping with the rules of the land, the Club was later registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

The Clubhouse is situated at a prime location, on Goa’s most attractive Miramar Beach, which has the honour of having a mausoleum of the First Administrative Governor of Goa as also of the First Chief Minister of Goa. A few enterprising members in 1993 namely Mr. Sunil Naik, Arch. Pradip Bhandare, Mr.Vilas Bhangui and others, under the guidance of its then President Mr.Dinkar Bhobe, took the bold step to upgrade the existing facilities of the Club. They took up the ambitious project of constructing a futuristic and an exclusive building for the Clubhouse at a staggering cost of Rs. 1.5 crores.

The Club received the blessing of Late Shri Vasudeva V. Dempo, Chairman of the Dempo Group of Companies and the able assistance from all its Committees & active members. Today the CLUBE TENNIS DE GASPAR DIAS boasts of an impressive and magnificent Club house, second to none in Goa.

There are areas earmarked for different indoor games (Cards, Table Tennis, Billiards, Snooker etc.) outdoor sports (Tennis, Badminton, Swimming Pool, etc.) a children’s room, a library and other literary activities. The Phase II shall see completion of 18 well furnished rooms and a swimming pool. Phase II shall portray this Association as an envious project, on par with such allied elite Clubs in India and aboard with luxury facilities such as Steam/Sauna/Jacuzzi etc. Arrangements are also made to provide its members with dining and drinking facilities with the uppermost floor of the complex housing the proposed air-conditioned Restaurant & Bar.

With 75 years of glorious history of promotion of wholesome family entertainment, playing hosts to some elite dignitaries & sportsmen of different bygone eras, and now being consolidated as a full fledged sports consortium, the CLUBE TENNIS DE GASPAR DIAS is on the threshold of carving for itself a name on the allied sports & entertainment scenario around the globe.