Goa Cricket Association president Mahesh Dessai.
MAPUSA
The long-pending dream of a full-fledged international cricket stadium in Goa may finally be moving towards reality, with Goa Cricket Association (GCA) President Mahesh Dessai expressing confidence that the foundation stone will be laid within the next two to three months.
In a recent interaction, Dessai said the GCA is in constant touch with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and has received full assurance of support from the State government.
CM's backing
“We are in touch with the CM, and we have full faith that he will support us to build the stadium. The CM has said that a stadium is the need of the hour. He is focused on it. We are 100 per cent sure that we will get his cooperation,” Dessai said.
While speculation continues over the possible location of the project – with Dhargal and Maulinguem in North Goa being discussed as options – the GCA president maintained that the focus is not on the site but on executing the project.
“The need of the hour is the stadium. It may come up at Dhargal or Maulinguem. That is not the point. The focus is to build a stadium, not the place. If the CM says do it here or there, we are ready,” he said, adding that a final decision will be taken at a forthcoming general body meeting of the association.
Capacity and vision
The proposed stadium is envisioned as an international-standard venue capable of hosting international fixtures as well as Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
Dessai indicated that the seating capacity would be between 30,000 and 40,000 spectators.
“Doing a very big stadium is not correct; then it becomes a white elephant,” he said, suggesting that the association is mindful of long-term sustainability and utilisation.
If timelines hold, the stadium is expected to be completed within three years of the foundation stone being laid.
Renewed optimism
Goa’s tryst with a cricket stadium, however, has been marked by repeated announcements over the years without concrete progress on the ground. Earlier proposals, including land discussions and government assurances, failed to materialise into construction, leading to scepticism among cricket enthusiasts.
Addressing these concerns, Dessai struck an optimistic note.
“This time it will happen. The managing committee is confident. Goans want the stadium to come up. The CM has taken a lot of interest and has taken the lead,” he said.
Beyond hosting marquee matches, the GCA believes the stadium will significantly boost grassroots cricket development in the state.
Dessai pointed out that the association has already begun strengthening its age-group structure, appointing coaches for Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 teams.
“Our performance has shown better results in the Ranji Trophy. We have appointed a good coach. Things will not happen overnight, but he will build a future Ranji team,” he said.
Grassroots boost
The association has also launched 20 GCA coaching centres across the State, each staffed with a coach and attended by 40 to 50 young players. The proposed stadium, according to Dessai, is expected to complement these grassroots efforts and provide aspiring cricketers with exposure to high-quality infrastructure.
For a State traditionally known for its football culture, cricket’s growing popularity has strengthened calls for a dedicated international venue.
While the assurances have been heard before, the coming months – particularly the promised foundation stone ceremony – may determine whether this latest push finally translates into bricks and mortar.
