Panaji
Bulk ticket inquiries from Kolhapur and Pune, have boosted the hopes of a decent turnout at Fatorda, where the Group C teams - Germany, Costa Rica, Iran and Guinea, are based. That apart, a Group D fixture between Brazil and Niger, is also expected to be a big crowd-puller. A couple of Round-of-16 ties and a quarters clash, will provide the knock-out punch.
Dempo praised the efforts of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in helping the showpiece FIFA event come to Goa.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Sports Journalists Association of Goa (SJAG) presented a special citation to Dempo for his contribution to the sports field in the State.
In a wide-ranging impromptu chat, Dempo expressed his views about various issues concerning sports in Goa. "Everybody need to work together. The parents and schools, in particular, have to help those interested in football, to work hard. Today if the NorthEast is brimming with talented youngsters, those kids want to change it and they choose football to work their way to a better life. Show me, such fire and determination in the State. No child goes to sleep empty-stomach here. Even some professionals are taking it easy here, which should not be the attitude at all, when a club has employed a player," said Dempo.
