MARGAO
Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to name all sporting infrastructure in the state after Goa’s sportspersons who have left an imprint on the global sports area.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the three-time Curtorim MLA said it is high time that the State of Goa recognises the contribution of Goa’s own sporting legends down the years. Let us not forget Goa too has produced Sporting Legends and naming Stadiums and other infrastructure in Goa after these stalwarts will inspire our children and our posterity for working hard to achieve sporting excellence on the world stage. We must name the stadiums in Goa after legendary Goan Sportspersons who have brought laurels to India and to the State”, he said in his letter.
Reginaldo dashed off the letter to the Chief Minister after the government took the decision to name the hockey stadium in Mapusa and the present Bambolim Athletic Stadium after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and Athletic legend, Milkha Singh. He pointed out that he has been receiving messages from Goemkars based in Goa and outside the frontiers of Goa that all remaining/upcoming sports infrastructure in the State of Goa must be named only after Sportspersons of Goa who brought laurels for our Country- India and for our State- Goa.
He said Goa down the ages has produced many famous sportspersons including Leo Pinto goalkeeper and member of the Gold medal winning hockey team in 1948 London Summer Olympics. Walter de Sousa, member of the Gold medal winning hockey team in 1948 London Summer Olympics. Neville D'Souza footballer who had scored hat trick in the 1956 Summer Olympics at Melbourne. Mary D’Souza Sequeira (multiple medal winning athlete in Asian Games) and hockey player who represented India in the two successive World Cup’s of 1953 and 1956. Stephanie /Stephie D'Souza ( gold medal winning athlete in 4x100 metres 0f 1954 Manila Asian Games ) and represented India in 1953 and 1961. Vece Paes was member of India bronze medal winning hockey team in 1972 Munich Olympics. Joaquim Martin Carvalho hockey player who represented India in 1984 Olympics,1986 World Cup , 1982 Asian Games , 1985 Asia Cup.
Similarly, he said Brahmanand Sagoon Kamat Sankhwalkar has been one of the finest goalkeeper to represent India ever and captained India for three years from 1983 to 1986. Dilip Sardesai the only Goan born cricketer who played for India in 30 test matches and scored 2,001 runs with 212 being his highest score against the West Indies, he added.
