THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo on Saturday said Mapusa residents would be allowed to use the athletic track in Peddem as a walking track twice a day, in the morning and evening.
“Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has assured me that he has spoken to the executive director of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and the athletic track will be allowed for people to use for their walks,” Ticlo said while addressing an impromptu press conference on the Peddem grounds.
Early Saturday morning, over 100 Mapusa residents, including senior councillors, got a shock after a security guard denied them entry into the stadium for their daily morning walk on the track.
The security guard pointed to the notice issued by SAG Executive Director V M Prabhu Desai stating that the general public would not be allowed to use the synthetic track.
Soon after the incident, several residents using the track for morning walk took to social media condemning the direction of the executive director.
“We Mapshekars know how to use the track. We don’t damage it. We only use the natural light. We don’t throw waste or disturb or come in the way of athletes…Why were we stopped,” asked Sandip Falari, former chairperson and senior councilor.
Another councillor, Sanjay Mishal, said that a similar incident had occurred around two years back but after discussion with the authorities, the issue was resolved and the public was allowed to use the last two tracks for walking.
“If the sports authorities are so concerned about the track then why do they allow TV media to carry their heavy machinery on the ground for shooting,” Mishal questioned.
The Aldona MLA said that SAG’s executive director issued the direction due to the ensuing national games in the State.
“Besides the CM, I have also spoken to Sports Minister Babu Ajgaonkar and the sports authorities concerned. I told them if they don’t want people to use the synthetic track then they should build another track adjacent to the present one for the general public,” Ticlo said.
He assured a gathering of Mapusa residents that the matter has now been resolved and such issues would not happen again.
Later in the evening, the SAG came with a notice allowing public to use the track with certain guidelines.
