MARGAO
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and has had unprecedented disruptions across the sporting world, bringing live action to a virtual halt since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Goa has not witnessed any live sports activities but the gloomy scenario will change in less than a month's time when the Indian Super League will be hosted in the State. With the FSDL, the organisers of the league, selecting Goa ahead of bigger States like West Bengal and Kerala to hold the marquee event, the onus now lies on the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) to provide the grounds and infrastructure for the Indian top-flight competition.
Mahesh Rivankar, the assistant secretary “ complexes, and also the stadium manager is more than confident of passing the acid test.
“The conduct of ISL here in Goa itself is a huge honour for the State in these trying conditions. We have to be perfect in everything and the venues picked up by the ISL are all in shape. The SAG has a very big part to play with the three main grounds -- Nehru Stadium Fatorda, GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim and Tilak Maidan, Vasco, besides the four practice grounds at Benaulim, Utorda, Betalbatim and Peddem,” Rivankar said.
Rivankar was recently applauded for his role as a Nodal Officer for containing the Covid-19 pandemic and immediately has his hands full with the big responsibility of providing the infrastructure required for the high-profile league.
“We did not do anything at the last moment. The maintenance work of the SAG grounds and complexes is a continuous process and it had to be like that considering the facilities available at the ground. So ISL is a challenge and we will give our best to make it a successful event,” stated Rivankar, who is always on the move to observe and inspect the progress on the works undertaken by the SAG.
ISL-7 will be conducted strictly in a bio-secure environment, where players, coaches and team staff will remain indoors in hotels and can move out only for practice and training at their designated grounds. Unlike the last edition, this season of the ISL will be organised under strict restrictions and without spectators at the stadium.
