MARGAO
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz has urged the government to honour the legacy of the late Francisco Monte Cruz, the former sports minister, by naming a stand at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda after him.
Vaz said that the stadium was constructed in a record six months and opened in 1989 under Monte Cruz’s tenure as sports minister. He praised Cruz for his dedication and efforts to ensure the stadium was completed in time to host the Nehru Gold Cup, the inaugural international football tournament held at the venue.
Vaz criticised past governments, including Cruz’s own Indian National Congress party, for not recognising his contributions. “Monte Cruz’s personal supervision, timely decisions, and motivation were crucial to the successful completion of the stadium,” Vaz said. “His efforts should have been honoured during his lifetime. I recommend naming one of the stadium stands the ‘Francisco Monte Cruz Stand’ to acknowledge his invaluable impact on the sports community.”
