CANACONA
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports Babu Ajgaonkar on Saturday assured that the government would never be found lacking in resources to develop sports and spokespersons in the State.
He was speaking during the inauguration of the refurbished Devabag Grounds in Canacona in the presence of Deputy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes and other officials.
Ajgaonkar said the State and Central governments have been spending crores of rupees for the development of sports infrastructure to provide all facilities to sportspersons.
Referring to Fernandes as a football player in his youthful days, Ajgaonkar said sportspersons who are MLAs were good as they could ensure good stadiums like the Devabag grounds.
Speaking on the occasion, Fernandes said the Devabag ground has been equipped with a spectator stand, a well-prepared playing field, changing rooms, toilets and urinals and floodlights.
“The Devabag ground should be exclusively available to locals and local youth should be given preference for any booking,” said Fernandes, while also demanding a booking office in Canacona itself. The sports minister immediately issued instructions to both demands.
Fernandes recalled the efforts of former sports minister late Sanjay Bandekar for his vision to develop the ground at Agonda, Devabag and for conceiving the upcoming Shristhal ground.
Officials from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sports Authority of Goa, Shri Mallikarjun Devalaya President Rajendra Desai, ex-CCMC chairperson Simon Rebello, Diwakar Pagui and several sports lovers were present at the event.
On the occasion, an exhibition football match was played between the Kazari (married) and Ankvari (unmarried).
