PANAJI
Goa Sports Foundation (GSF) has said that with three months to go, the Sports Minister is in the dark on the basis on which Rs 7 crore central grant was released for the upgradation of grounds in the State for FIFA U-17 (M) World Cup’17.
"With the FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup’ 2022 competition scheduled in 90 days with 16 participating countries, it is obvious the State officials are unaware on the procedure to avail central grants," said Joseph Licio Roncon, the GSF general secretary in a press release.
The Women’s World Cup is scheduled from Oct 11 to 30 with matches being held in Bhubaneswar, Goa and Navi Mumbai.
"The Goa government, the sports officials are not briefing the present Sports Minister of the past, how the grant was given by the centre for upgradation of play fields for U-17 (M) World Cup, whereas for U-17 Men’s World Cup some matches were held in Goa 2017, Mr Roque Dias, ED, SAI was the Project Director for FIFA U-17 (M) World Cup and Rs 7 Cr were released to the State government for the upgradation of play fields in Goa during the tenure of Mr Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister."
Roncon lamented that the State Chief Minister has made no efforts for grants vis-a-vis Women’s World Cup for upgradation of football fields, despite the Goa government being the "Double Engine Sarkar".
As a prelude to the mega international BRICS football tournament which was held in Goa 2016, when Parrikar was the Defence Minister, Rs 25 crore were allotted for the successful conduct of the event under the guidance of Dias, the then ED, SAI and Technical Advisor for BRICS Football Tournament, stated Roncon.
