Acquisition of land initiated for proposed cricket stadium

Panaji, July 13 (UNI) The Goa government has initiated the acquisition of land to construct a proposed state-of-the-art cricket stadium and Rs 48.43 lakh have been earmarked for the purpose.

Informing this during question hour in the state legislative assembly today, state Sports Minister Pandurang Madkaikar said the government was to acquire land for the stadium to be constructed in Tivim.

The government has, however, not yet decided whether the Goa Cricket Association should have any financial stake for the stadium project the construction of which would be done by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. Foundation stone for the same would be laid during this year end, he added.

Discussions were under way with the Board of Control for cricket in India about the Rs 50 crore cost of building the stadium.

The minister had also said the Indian Olympic Association had, in its meeting held on November 28 last year, authorised Goa to host National Games 2011.

The government had bid for the National Games in December 2002 and November 2005. The games would be held in a befitting manner for which elaborate arrangements will be planned.

To another question, the minister said the government had spent about Rs 4.4 crores for upgradation of the famous cricket stadium at Fatorda at Margao in South Goa till February this year.

He told Vinay Tendulkar, BJP legislator in the state legislative assembly, the sports minister said the expenditure includes Rs 1.07 crore incurred for paintinig of the stadium.

To another question, the minister said the Sports Authority of Goa(SAG) did not incur any loss as a result of Goa Cricket Association blocking the ground for pitch preparation for the recently held ODI.

The SAG, he said received Rs 23 lakhs from the GCA towards its fee which was supposed to be 20 per cent of the gate collection of the match.

The repairs of the swimming pool at the stadium could not be undertaken on time. There was also shortage of water in summer season due to which the pool could not be emptied for undertaking repair works.

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