MARGAO
Last year during the testing times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian football fans witnessed a relatively successful organization of the Indian Super league (ISL). The elegant conduct of the immensely popular football event has once again proved that Goa has wherewithal and the facilities required in contemporary football.
The Indian Super league 8 returned back to Goa and yet again the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) which are the major partners had delivered in style. The three main venues of Tilak Maidan, Vasco, GMC Bambolim Stadium and Nehru Stadium, Fatorda were more than ready to host the matches and to complete the football season in time.
Mahesh Rivankar, Assistant Director of Stadium, SAG, who was given the task of providing the facilities with the required international standards was a relived man after the conclusion of the final. "Hosting the Indian Super League for the second successive season was a huge honour for the state. We were expecting it and the maintenance was in continuation, we didn't stop. The playing pitches were maintained in a way so that we could be ready any moment. Every body involved was very happy for giving our best," Rivankar said.
"Hosting the Indian Super League is not a walk in the park besides the three main stadiums, the teams had provided equally well maintained grounds for practice and training and also improved the infrastructure with modern facilities for the footballers.
"Preparation and requirement of the Indian Super League cannot be done sitting in the cabin. We have to move constantly and the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant intervened for the quick approvals and clearance of necessary files. It gave us the confidence to do the work in time," stated Rivankar.
The Indian Super League management added another challenge of allowing football fans inside the stadium, at Fatorda for the final after more than two years. "It was amazing to see football fans in full capacity, especially the travelling supporters from Kerala and Hyderabad, hearing the public roar at the Nehru Stadium. It was a great final for all the football enthusiasts," a joyful Rivankar said.
The Indian Super League 8 will be remembered for the successful story of Jamshedpur FC winning their maiden ISL league winners shield and Hyderabad FC annexing their first ISL title despite starting as the underdogs in the Indian topflight.
