the goan I network
VASCO
A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) delegation led by State President Jose Philip D’Souza and NCP Minority Cell Chairman Nazir Khan on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the deputy collector to re-open the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) ground in Baina for the benefit of players.
Speaking to mediapersons, D’Souza said the MPT ground, which was earlier open to public, had been host to various football tournaments like Bandekar Trophy and even had Ranji Cricket matches played on the ground.
“The ground was kept open in the morning and evening for practice session, while schools and colleges had their annual sports and athletic events in the ground,” he said.
D’Souza alleged that hostel facilities for budding and upcoming sportspersons by MPT at the ground had now been rented out to CISF personnel of the Airport.
“The Bhutebhat ground is under the SAG all year, while the Tilak Maidan is closed to public and given only to I-League matches. Presently, youth who have football in their blood have no grounds to practice,” said D’Souza.
“The MPT should shift CISF to any other government land and the hostel facility should be used as a training centre for budding athletes. The MPT must hand over the ground to the government under CSR so that the ground is open to players.”
“This is an important issue for the youth and I will also speak to Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar and MPT Chairman on this issue as the Govt is propagating the importance of sports. We will agitate till the MPT ground is open to the public,” said D’Souza.
NCP Minority Cell Chairman Nazir Khan said the MPT ground had previously been open to public for
over 40 years.”
