Sports Minister Govind Gaude paid a visit to former sports minister Francisco Monte Cruz on Friday.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
On Friday evening, Sports Minister Govind Gaude was in a jubilant mood as he inspected Nehru Stadium Fatorda and expressed happiness at the state of infrastructure, one of the venues for the FIFA Under-17 Women 's World Cup.
"The stadium has already hosted a FIFA World Cup (U-17) so the core infrastructure is in place. It is great to see that the legacy from 2017 -- the infrastructure is in good shape and that the same operational plan is being used," Gaude said. "With new technology and new innovation in sport, it is also important to keep improving. We want to ensure that we provide the best possible facilities and environment for FIFA U17 Women's World Cup."
The work of laying of the hybrid pitch is almost over and marking of the ground is going on, the installation of big screen and the branding is being done, said Gaude.
The sports minister expressed optimism that Goa, in coming years, would be able to contribute talented sportspersons. He reiterated his endorsement to promote sports in the State, which has garnered immense popularity amongst people of all age groups.
Gaude also suggested that concerned departments need to rope in sports-related associations in holding of all government sponsored sporting events. He appealed to the students and their parents to encourage their children to witness the World Cup games at Fatorda and said the event will serve as inspiration to girls. Ajay Gaude, SAG director, Deepak Lotlikar, executive engineer, and Laxmidas Mangueshkar, APEO, were present with Gaude.
Gaude visits Monte Cruz
Meanwhile, the sports minister paid a courtesy call to former sports minister Francisco Monte Cruz at his residence.
The multipurpose Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was constructed in a record six months time and was opened in the year 1989 during the tenure of Monte Cruz. The stadium has hosted various national and international football and cricket matches.
"Monte Cruz had put in a lot of effort to ensure that the stadium is completed in time to host Nehru Gold Cup, the first international football tournament hosted by Goa," Gaude said. "His efforts with personal supervision, timely effective decisions, motivation to the team involved in the construction work yielded positive results and the first international football match was played at the stadium on the scheduled date in 1989," Gaude said.
