THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Congress leaders on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) opposing the reported proposal to lease or privatise the newly redeveloped Campal Football Ground and Stadium Complex, asserting that the facility should remain a public asset accessible to all.
Congress workers held a protest outside GSUDA office after they were stopped by police from entering. The delegation was later allowed to meet the CEO.
Addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of GSUDA, the memorandum stated that the Campal Football Ground was developed as a public sports facility after the erstwhile Bandodkar Ground was taken away and that the land was entrusted to GSUDA specifically for creating football and allied sports infrastructure for the people of Goa.
The Congress argued that the complex, spread over around 40,000 square metres and built at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore under the Smart City Mission with funding from the Centre and the State, should remain under public ownership and management.
The party contended that leasing the facility to a private operator could restrict access for local youth, schools, football clubs and the general public. It also expressed concern over the reported lack of transparency surrounding the proposal and questioned why the Department of Sports could not manage the facility.
The memorandum further opposed any move to transfer the complex to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), claiming such a step could eventually facilitate privatisation. Instead, Congress demanded that the management of the ground be handed over to the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) in coordination with the Goa Football Association to ensure professional maintenance while preserving public access.
The party also called on GSUDA to withdraw any privatisation proposal, guarantee equitable public access and hold consultations with residents, sports associations and other stakeholders before taking any decision on the future of the sports complex.
