MARGAO
Citizens for Democracy (Goa) has called on Goans, especially the sporting community, to oppose the Goa State Urban Development Agency’s (GSUDA) plan to lease the newly redeveloped Campal football ground and stadium complex to a private operator. The forum strongly criticised the proposal to give a 10-year commercial licence for the 40,000 sq m public facility, calling it a betrayal of taxpayers who funded the Rs 30-crore project.
CFD Convenor Elvis Gomes said the stadium was created after Panaji lost the Bandodkar Ground, which was used for infrastructure linked to IFFI. He said the Campal facility was meant to provide local youth with an accessible playing space. He added that keeping it closed for years and now handing it to private interests for commercial use defeats its purpose.
CFD urged citizens, clubs, and footballers to oppose privatisation and ensure the ground remains a public sports facility.
