THE GOAN NETWORK
PORVORIM
The Salvador do Mundo panchayat has decided to rent out its football ground to the public, as part of efforts to generate additional revenue to the panchayat.
Convener of the Salvador do Mundo Village Development Committee Vijay Chodankar said the panchayat has renovated the football ground spending Rs 4.6 lakh.
The football ground had been inaugurated by Tourism Minister and local MLA Rohan Khaunte in the presence of FC Goa CEO and co-owner Akshay Tandon, footballer Glan Martins and former Salvador do Mundo Sarpanch Sandip Salgaonkar on June 30, 2021. The ground was later handed over to FC Goa after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a period of three years.
“This ground was earlier being maintained by FC Goa. However during a Gram Sabha on November 28, 2021, then sarpanch Antonio Fernandes said the panchayat was not getting any revenue from FC Goa,” said Chodankar.
“The residents then demanded that the MoU signed between the panchayat and FC Goa be terminated and that, the panchayat should maintain this ground and rent it out to those who wish to organise tournaments.”
“The panchayat later terminated the MoU signed with FC Goa and decided to maintain the ground on its own. The annual maintenance cost of this football ground works out to Rs 1.4 lakh. The panchayat has now decided to give this ground on rent to the general public, which would earn revenue to the panchayat,” said Chodankar.
Football enthusiast Eldrich D’Souza said the panchayat has taken a wise decision to maintain this ground and give it on rent.
“The panchayat has also made a new cricket pitch for the benefit of cricket lovers. Now, both cricket and football matches can be played on this ground. With the panchayat deciding to maintain the ground, youth from the village will also get an opportunity to use this ground,” said D’Souza.
