With temperatures at 32 degrees C and the threat of unseasonal showers in the past few days ago, the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, South Goa, India, built in a record time of six months by the then Indian National Congress Minister for Sports Government of Goa, Mr Francisco Monte Cruz then MLA of Benaulim, (where the teams are lodged at the Taj Exotica ) with an official seating capacity of 27,500 will witness the third ODI between England and India at 0900 hrs tommorrow 3rd April 2006. Incidentally the highest turnout at the stands was 43,000 at the inaugural Football match in 1989
This time the tickets sale was orderly, the designated Syndicate Bank did the honours for ticket sale in the order of Rs.400/- 750/- 1000/- and 2000/- Sale of tickets was brisk. There were volunteer passes distributed by M/s United Breweries of Kingfisher most of the Sports clubs received their quota of tickets for distribution. There were T shirts blue with the Indian logo being sold for Rs.100/- Nevertheless this morning and last evening too tickets were on sale in black the quote was Rs.700 for the lowest denomination but that figure went down to as low as Rs 600 by dusk. One of the reasons for an element of paranoi in the minds of probable spectators and the slightly less interest in witnessing the game from the Nehru stadium is a) the threat of a bomb blast at the venue (ever since the 2nd March,2006 Curchorem - Cacora - Gulemol - riots, the arrest of a terrorist in Sirvodem Margao Goa, the unaccompanied bag scare at State Bank of India Panaji the alleged terrorist scare at Military area Ponda and the recent nabbing of a Vasco da Gama Goa based terrorist in Karnataka a couple of days ago ) b) the events at the 2nd ODI in North India which witnessed a rampage of non ticket holders seeking unathorised entry which resulted in the severe lathi charge on an innocent child accompanied by her mother in North India-- being highlighted on the visual media since yesterday c) the prospects of unseasonal rains which could wash away the aspirations of ticket holders d) the first day of week long the SSC examinations many Goans would prefer to see the game on the idiot box in the confines of their homes. It may be recalled that the Lord Damodar -- Gulal festivities at Zambaulim witnessed the lowest turnover just 23% in recent times. Today morning there was crowd of spectators yearning to see the players at the practice session -- However security forces Central Reserve Police being deployed ensured that the enthusiasm of the onlookers was restricted only to outer bounds of Gate limits. Incidentally this could as well be the last ODI being played at Fatorda which forms a part of the Margao Municipal Council. If all goes well by the time the next ODI opportunity comes Goa's way it could be held at either Tivim or Guirim in Bardez Taluka in North Goa District the venue of Goa's first Cricket Stadium, promised by the Board of Cricket Control Vice President Mr Dayanand Narvekar also Minister of State for Health. For the Minister for Health Government of Goa Mr Narvekar this ODI is of great importance. The cast of the organising Committee consists of mostly the same that was unsuccessfully accused by the previous BJP led Mr Manohar Parrikar Government in the inconclusively investigated "ticket gate scam" involving Mr Narvekar and others. Incidentally Mr Narvekar LL.M an ex MGP MLA is credited as the architect of the downfall of the 17 year Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party led by Ms Sashikala Bandodkar( daughter of late Dayanand Bandodkar Goa's first Chief Minister )when he alongwith then Rivona MLA Mr Dilkush Desai (who survived a bullet attack and is now partially incapacitated and resides at Margao ) It was their defection from the MGP which then resulted in Presidents Rule for the first time and the electoral victory of the Congress- Urs (led by Devraj Urs) which later defected enmasse to the Congress - Indira in 1980. Therefore for Mr Narvekar and company -- they are not taking any chances and the gates will be thrown open by 0600 hrs (unlike the last time when the gates opened only an hour before the match 0800 hrs leading to a mob frenzy and gate crashers) and the approach to the venue will be restricted to genuine ticket holders only, with multiple checks. The entire stadium has been provided with a sun protective canopy, afresh paint and the ground done up with the pitch promising over 250 runs as per the considered opinion of the grounds man. There are CCTC closed circuit TV cameras "in situ " and lunch and snacks will be served within the stadium making movement outside restricted to some extent. This writer who visited the venue just before the England team arrived for their practice session found that there is much to be desired as far as movement of vehicular traffic is concerned and an unforseen catastrophe. The narrow roads at the Fatorda Church end should have been cleared of all encroachments and the approach roads hot mixed end to end. This being the main entrance for the VVIP's and the team and a cluster of residential buildings and shops in the vicinity narrow barricades put up of bamboo cane can easily creat a chaos. The same is the case with the south end entrance where locals have their shops and the approach road is too narrow. A little panic runmour would suffice to create a melee which could be disastrous. Given the number of outsiders that have made it to Goa mainly from Karnataka and Maharashtra for them witnessing a game having travelled miles could turn out to be an "adventure" of sorts, and hence the precautions necessary. The police unused to such crowds and already under severe stress --- yes one policeman shot himself in the capital while on duty and another attempted a suicide -- in the last two days would need to be given strong incentives to perform to their best, instead of being merely "used and discarded" The last point which remains in the minds of all is will the England team win --- and win they must given that the odds are against them in the remaining ODI's ----and for this the Goans turn to Lord Dambab the deity revered by the citizens of Margao. Being a Monday hold significance for this is the day dedicated to the Lord Damodar. The Minister for Health Mr Dayanand Narvekar visited the famous Shantadurga Temple at Fatorpa in Cuncolim last evening 2nd April, 2006 apparently to invoke the blessings for the sucess of the ODI. Should India win ---it will perhaps for the first time dispel the myth associated with the Fatorda Stadium ever since the last ODIs were held at this stadium that the Lord had not taken kindly to "encroachments on its temple land" according to some residents of the area mainly the Scheduled tribes. Another snide joke associated with this Stadium actually intended for football is the joke relating to the present Member of Parliament Lok Sabha of Mormugao Parliamentary Constituency who when once quizzed "on what grounds --would he take on the opponent" his oft hand reply was " Fatorda grounds" a reflection of his poor knowledge of the English language. A beeline of VVIP's are expected tommorrow the Nationalist Congress Party top boss Mr Sharad Pawar also the President of the Board of Cricket Control of India the Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane the Minister for Sports Mr Pandurang Madkaikar the BJP MLA Fatorda Mr Damodar Naik etc. Until then -- as the flood lights are in full glow with huge picture posters of a girl(KINGFISHER)hoisted on the high mast lamps towers from the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Fatorda GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9822158584 __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s