MARGAO
Work on the proposed hockey astro turf ground at Fatorda is finally taking shape.
An MoU is to be shortly signed between Goans Hockey (GA), the parent body for the game in the State and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DYSA), a top official of the hockey association informed.
Land admeasuring 8500 square metres has been allotted to GA at Fatorda, close to the Indoor Stadium, and the association is in talks with Union Minister for Ayush and North Goa MP Shripad Naik to get funds for the project. The astro turf in Fatorda and at Peddem, Mapusa, which was recently completed, promises to be an answer to the hockey fraternity’s prayers lasting decades.
GA will push their case through Hockey India, the national federation.
“Goans Hockey is aiming to send the ground proposal and get funds from the central government through the Khelo India project. We have approached Union Minister Shripad Naik to push for our case with the Sports Ministry under the Khelo India project,” said Benny Viegas, Secretary of GA, who has been associated with the game for the last four decades, first as a player and then as coach, referee and as an administrator.
“GA along with DYSA officials have had several meetings and according to the plan, the ground will have 4 dressing rooms, 4 dormitories and will have two stands - east and west,” he added.
The ground proposal has moved ahead thanks to various political leaders from South Goa associated with different political outfits.
“We are thankful for the active support of Xavier Marquis, Farrel Furtado e Gracais (ex-MLA of Velim and president of Goans Hockey) and Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardessai, and SAG Executive Director V.M Prabhudessai,” Viegas said.
The game has sunk into obscurity in the State with the absence of a synthetic pitch. At a cost of approximately Rs 12 crore, an FIH approved surface, two pitches, one for practice, have been laid at Peddem, Mapusa. The match surface admeasures 91.4m x 55m and the one for practice 55m x 45.7m.
