TEAM HERALD [email protected]
Panjim: The movement for rebuilding the Campal Stadium in the capital city received a big shot in the arm as the residents of Campal, exactly opposite the stadium at Haddint, came out in support of the same while on the other hand more than 100 teams have lined up for the 5-a-side football tournament on Sunday as a show of strength for the rebuilding move. That apart, Panjim MLA, Manohar Parrikar has thrown his weight behind it, supporting the championship with prize money. Haddint’s Michael was almost in tears when he disclosed that the youth from the area in Campal had nowhere to go to play in the city. “We have to send our children to Taleigao and Santa Cruz. The ground must be available to the locals. Just opposing the rebuilding does not solve the problem. The ground was there earlier and no one had any problem,” he pointed out. “More than 100 teams will be playing on Sunday as a mark of solidarity for rebuilding the stadium. We have teams from Haddint, Campal, Santa Ines, Mira Mar itself besides other parts of Panjim. Haddint itself will field four teams. Then, there are teams from other parts of Tiswadi also. It will be a huge turn out on Sunday to promote football as well to support the move for rebuilding the stadium,” claimed Sandeep Heble of JCI Santa Ines at a press briefing at SAG conference hall, here, Friday. Heble was sad that CCP Mayor Yatin Parekh had spoken about a playground at the Campal site when he was ignorant about the plan by GSIDC for a 2500 capacity stadium. “The Mayor has not seen the plan and he commented without proper knowledge. That is not proper. There is provision for parking 300 cars and 2-wheelers, cafeteria, office rooms, dressing rooms, referees room, a seaside road. I suspect the Mayor’s intentions reflect a CCP corporator’s plans for a big commercial complex which could lead actually to a permanent congestion and traffic problems,” reasoned out Sandeep. “You have exhibitions being permitted by CCP. There is congestion all over. Look at the problem near Sharada Mandir school. Football traffic is just one hour.” CCP corporator Surendra Furtado explained that very few families from Campal were against the rebuilding move. “The day is not too far when someone from Delhi will come and build a mega project in the open space. It’s time Panjimites come out and fight like others do in villages and other areas,” he added. “Plans have been already drawn up by GSIDC for 2500. We don’t want a 30,000 stadium costing Rs 80 crore. The small stadium designed by architect Milind Ramani would cost at the most Rs 18 crore today,’’ assured Dr Rufino Monteiro. Joaquim Teles, former SAG jt director, stated that Rs 4,000 (winners), Rs 3000 (runners-up), Rs 2000 (3rd place), Rs 1500 (4th place), Rs 1000 each (5th to 8th), individual prizes and trophies will be awarded. “The response has been tremendous. We have even teams coming from Candolim, Mapusa. Vintage Hospital will field two teams. Manoj Patil of Panjim Sports Festival Committee highlighted that with proper traffic management, there would be no problem. “We have a 5-star hotel at Santa Ines and one is aware about the parking problem there. Our children have to stay at home in the absence of a playground,” stated Manoj. GFA Executive Committee member Anju Albuquerque and Hilary Fernandes, President of Panjim Sports Festival Committee also lent their full support for the cause of rebuilding. Source: http://oheraldo.in/news/Sports/Over-100-teams-support-Campal-Stadium-rebuilding-move/49219.html
