GCA looking for a 40,000-seater stadium at Thivim: Desai

Optimistic that GCA's cherished dream of building their own international cricket stadium at Thivim would materialise sooner than later, GCA President Chetan Desai while speaking to The Goan disclosed they are looking at a seating capacity of up to 40,000 at the stadium, which could host not only Ranji and other domestic matches, but international and IPL matches as well

BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO

PANAJI

Goa Cricket Association with its headquarters established at Porvorim has always nursed a desire to have a stadium of international standard to host matches. That said, only recently the GCA President, Chetan Desai appraised the media of their plans at revival of constructing an international stadium at Thivim, near Panaji.

Before coming to the brass tacks, GCA President, Chetan Desai during an interview with The Goan Everyday spoke of the infrastructure available to cricketers in the State.

Referring to the grounds at Margao (MCC)and Panjim (Gymkhana), he reveals they have been in existence for the last 40 years for organising local, club and BCCI organised matches. While MCC was called the Rajendra Prasad Stadium until 20 years back when the Timblos looked after it, today it runs under the Presidentship of Yogesh Naik with Apoorv Bhembre as the Secretary.

GCA in time had a long-standing dream fulfilled of having a ground of international standing at Porvorim which was built in September 2008. When this sports reporter visited the ground, an 'A' Division 45-over match organised by GCA was in progress. To the naked eye, it was evident that the ground was very well-maintained with eight state-of-the-art turf pitches, an indoor academy with provision for 10 rooms, two dormitories, two halls, an adequate gym and a canteen.

While over the years at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao, primarily known for organising football matches, sporadic international cricket matches are held, GCA envisioned a dream since 1995 to have an international stadium of its own. The seed to the thought was germinated when India were to host the vising New Zealanders to a One-dayer at Fatorda in 1995 which was unfortunately washed out. The issue to build a stadium of this magnitude was never to surface again until a decade later. This was when the then GCA President, Dayanand Narvekar in 2006 did a lease with the Government at Thivim but faced objection from the farmers and environmentalists and the project did not get through. Two years hence, when finally it seemed to be getting settled, the Government decided to cancel the lease deed but for some reason did not cancel it.

Last year, the GCA purchased a ground at Maulingem in Bicholim taluka (North Goa) admeasuring 58,000 sq. mtrs. which was of settlement and the rest was of orchard. The area of the ground was 2.92 lakh sq. mtrs. So as to make it viable that the project runs on its own, GCA thought of having a Sports City on the proposed site and accordingly it was published on the newspapers. Three to four parties came forward. But as the rest of the ground was not in settlement zone things did not work out. Now since the ODP is open, GCA has put up their plan for Maulingem.

In the meanwhile, since there is a ready proposed site at Thivim which requires no more permission than the Government nod, GCA revived their proposal on having an international cricket stadium at Thivim to the local MLA, Kiran Kandolkar and State CM, Laxmikant Parsekar and they have given their assurance to the GCA that they would look into it. On prodding the GCA President further, he expresses his cluessness when the cherished dream could materialise but did say they would look at a seating capacity of up to 40,000 at the stadium, which could hold not only Ranji and other domestic matches, but international and IPL matches as well.

While there is a lull of international matches in Goa owing to infrastructural reasons, Desai recalls that back in 2007 when England came to Goa to play an ODI against India on February 14, the Englishmen were so happy that their cricket board asked for a match in Goa on their next tour to India. With Desai pining hope that their proposed international cricket stadium would see the light of the day sooner than later, he divulged of a possibility of hosting IPL matches too given the directive of the BCCI and the willingness of the two franchisee teams concerned.

Referring to the renovational plans at Panjim Gymkhana underway and their part in it, the GCA President disclosed that one of the oldest clubs that it was, was in need of being rebuilt.

The Managing Committee of the Club on approaching GCA to do up their cricket ground about three months earlier, the latter agreed to the endeavour with a promise of building a ground of international standard.

Talking of a likelihood of hosting IPL matches there, Desai reveals that provided there is an arrangement of stands erected to accomodate 15000 - 20000 spectators and the BCCI agreeing in-principle to host IPL matches at the venue then only can such a dream be realised, else all matches under the aegis of BCCI can be held there.

On other cricket grounds across the State, Desai says that GCA has built a beautiful ground at Cotarlim in Sanguem taluka in 2013. Earlier this month, on January 2, the first club match between Curchorem Gymkhana and Madkai Yuvak Sangh was organised there which was patronised by the local MLA Subhash Phaldesai. Then there are SAG Grounds at Panjim and Margao and grounds at Colvale, Bicholim and Chicalim, where GCA affliated matches are organised.

With around 108 registered clubs with the GCA in the State, there are approximately 60 players from the U-19, U-23 and Ranji who are eligible to play in only the Premier Division tournaments, Desai added.

While stating that on their part, GCA is trying their level best to produce a good set of cricketers with experienced coaches in the batting, bowling and fielding departments to guide the upcoming cricketers in the right direction. He proudly adds to say that at the start of the year, Goa women had the distinction of finishing third in the Senior Women's T20 League (Elite) held in Indore.

He reveals that GCA takes its teams outside to give them adequate exposure and practice. He says owing to prevalent weather conditions in the State from June-September, playing cricket in Goa in the period is not conducive. It is only around mid-November with the onset of the new cricket season that the grounds are ready for practice and matches. As the cricketers are unwilling to move out of State during the dormant phase to stay match and temperament fit, it has repurcussions on their performances no sooner the new season opens up. Shedding further light on their plight, he reveals that the players who solely play cricket in the State, when not having any matches do not make any attempts to go outside in places as Chennai, Bengaluru to stay in the groove to the game. Talking of their mentality critically, he says they all feel they can play in the lucrative IPL. But on the flip side, until and unless you are good enough no franchisee would take a player on board and they will in lieu keep a constant eye on your match fitness and performances. Potentially, he marks out upcoming cricketer, Deepraj Gaonkar as the brightest IPL hope, while also mentioning the likes of Sagun Kamat, Amulya Bandekar and Snehal Kauthankar as others.