PANAJI
The newly inaugurated cricket net training facility at the Government School playground in Cuncolim, under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA), has run into controversy with two organizations announcing cricket coaching camps at the same venue during overlapping dates and timings.
The Youth of Cuncolim Sports Club (YOCSC) and the Cuncolim Cricket Association (CCA) both have scheduled training camps at the facility, leading to confusion among aspiring cricketers and parents.
YOCSC has announced a camp from March 19 to May 19, to be held Monday to Saturday. The timings are scheduled from 7 am to 9 am between March 19 and March 31, and from 4 pm to 6 pm between April 1 and April 30. The club has begun admissions, stating that limited slots are available.
However, the Cuncolim Cricket Association has officially secured booking of the same facility from March 19 to April 10, with identical morning and evening time slots. A letter issued by Sanjay K. Shetkar, APEO Salcete, confirms that the ground has been allotted to CCA to conduct a camp for school children above eight years. The association has also paid ₹5,000 as booking charges.
In contrast, YOCSC has applied for permission to use the ground for two months but is yet to receive official approval from the DSYA.
Sources said officials from both organizations were expected to meet DSYA Director Ajay Gaude in Panaji on March 20 to resolve the issue. However, with the ground already allotted to one party, it remains unclear how the authorities will address the situation in the interest of the larger sporting community in Cuncolim.
