Tilak Maidan needs Astroturf as much as it needs a overhead covering
By Daniel F de Souza
I am shocked and dismayed to learn through a report in a National daily
that the local MLA of Vasco is opposed to the idea of AIFF installing an
artificial Astroturf on Tilak Maidan. It is all the more shocking to
hear that the locals are opposed to it. As far as I know, the local boys
use the Tilak Maidan for informal football practices for a few hours
everyday after the main matches are over in the evenings.
The artificial turf is being laid with a much bigger plan in mind to
benefit the youth of this State and improve the standard of Indian
football as a whole. The future of Indian football is going to be
‘Astroturf’. The fears expressed by the local MLA of locals being
deprived the facility of playing football on the ground are totally
unfounded. Why should the SAG/GFA refuse permission for the locals to
play on the artificial turf?
On the contrary, the artificial turf will benefit the youth to play
quality football all round the year irrespective of the season,
including the monsoon season. Can we afford to lose such a
State-of-the-art facility offered by the National Federation without
any financial implication to the State sports body? In my conservative
estimate, the expenditure for such a facility could be anywhere around
rupees 3 to 4 crores. The only perceivable drawback on laying the
Astroturf will be that the ground will be used exclusively for football
activities and not be allowed to be mis-used for other social activities
like hosting mega entertainment events etc.
I am all the more surprised that GFA is now favouring Cuncolim Sports
Complex for laying the artificial turf. When the FIFA Officials visited
Goa, they together with the GFA officials had inspected only four
venues, viz., Don Bosco ground Fatorda, Don Bosco ground Panjim, Duler
stadium and the Tilak Maidan, Vasco. From the four venues, Tilak
Maidan, Vasco, and the GFA’s Duler stadium were approved. Is the
Cuncolim Sports Complex trying to make a back door entry now? As a
football lover, promoter and keen observer, I can smell a rat in this
entire episode.
It would be praise worthy if the local MLA of Vasco instead of opposing
the artificial turf for the sake of opposing uses his good offices to
impress upon the Sports Ministry to erect a roof for the stadium. I
recall during the finals of the first Domrine Memorial Football
tournament held at the Tilak Maidan Vasco, about 3 years ago, the
State Sports Minister who was the Chief Guest had publicly promised
that he would look into the feasibility of having a covering for the
stadium and fulfill the wishes of the Vasco football fans. But, like
many other empty promises, this too has only remained a promise without
any concrete action.
We can’t afford to lose a God sent opportunity for the sake of a smaller
cause, the future of Goan and Indian football cannot be sacrificed at
the altar of prejudice. Indian football is making noticeable strides at
international level; Goa the cradle of Indian football should welcome
such state-of-the-art facilities for a bright future rather than
shutting its doors on developmental venture. Vasco on its part has a
Lion’s share in the success story of Goan football. We should therefore
have the vision to see far ahead, and move with the times if Goa is to
dominate the football scene in India. Vasco surely deserves such a
world class facility for its huge contribution to Indian football.
SAG is presently developing the Mini football stadium in Non-Mon Vasco
at the request of the local MLA. The local MLA could ensure that the
project is completed within the schedule time so that more locals can
utilize it for football practices. Besides, there are nearly a dozen or
so lower division football clubs in and around Vasco, the Sports
Authority of Goa can explore the possibilities for the development the
Bhutea Bhatt club ground as well as the New Vaddem Holy Cross football
ground and provide better turf facilities which could be used by the
local clubs for regular practice sessions. But, opposing a State of the
art facility for Tilak Maidan on negligible grounds, that too when it is
being offered to us without any financial implications can be
detrimental to Goan football. It is time to think far ahead with a clear
vision rather than at short term benefits.
http://danieldeblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/tilak-maidan-needs-astroturf-as-much-as-it-needs-a-overhead-covering/
