VASCO
The 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium at Verna is set for a major transformation, with plans underway to expand it into a 30,000-capacity venue, a move that could eventually pave the way for Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Goa, according to stadium owner Kamla Prasad Yadav.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday during the ongoing Legends Pro T20 league, Yadav said hosting IPL matches in Goa has always been his dream, but stressed that infrastructure readiness will be the key factor.
“When I first constructed this ground, it was meant as a practice facility for my children. Over time, it has grown into a mega stadium. It was God’s blessing that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav inaugurated it just a day after India won the Asia Cup. That moment made all Goans proud,” Yadav said.
He recalled that the stadium’s growth gathered momentum after the Delhi Capitals women’s team chose it as a practice venue. “They trained here, appreciated the facilities, and that gave us confidence. Hosting the Legends Pro T20 league after that has been another milestone. Ninety legends playing 18 matches at one venue is the biggest cricket tournament Goa has ever hosted,” he said.
Yadav said the stadium was built with the sole intention of promoting cricket and sports culture in Goa. “This ground is open to anyone who wants to promote cricket and Goa. Youngsters aspiring to play professional cricket can approach me. I am willing to provide the ground free of cost,” he added.
He said a free cricket coaching camp organised during the Diwali holidays saw participation from nearly 80 students. “The response was overwhelming. There is strong demand for a cricket academy, and we have land near the stadium. The academy should be ready within six to seven months. We are also planning a summer camp to meet the growing interest,” Yadav said.
Referring to the Legends Pro T20 league, Yadav said significant investments were made to meet tournament requirements. “We spent around ₹4 crore on infrastructure, including additional floodlights and access roads. We did this out of love for cricket, not for profit.” he said, adding that the league is expected to generate around ₹300 crore in revenue for the Goa government through tourism and allied activities.
Yadav said several international opportunities are also being explored. “We have offers from legendary players and coaches for two-month coaching camps, proposals from the UK for bilateral series, and interest from the UAE for practice matches at this venue,” he said.
Calling the stadium his passion project, Yadav said maintenance alone costs ₹5–6 lakh per month. “This is neither business nor politics for me. A cricket ground is a white elephant financially, but passion cannot be measured in money. This stadium and my vision for it are dedicated to my children,” he said.
On IPL ambitions, Yadav said infrastructure development is the immediate focus. “I plan to convert this into a 30,000-capacity stadium and bring IPL to Goa. It may take around three years. Once the infrastructure is ready, things will move in that direction. Goa also deserves its own IPL team, and there is good scope, especially with the requirements for expansion of teams in the women’s IPL. We have huge business houses who can come forward and have a Goan team in the IPL,” he added.
