GCA president blames Sports Ministry for ‘halt’ in stadium construction

The GCA president Dayanand Narvekar, blamed the state Sports Ministry for the "virtual halt" in the construction work of the international cricket stadium at Tivim.

Dayanand Narvekar alleged that though the HC had given the verdict in their favour, the state Sports Ministry is yet to forward the court order to the Union Forest Ministry, for approval

Panaji: Jul 8, 2011

The GCA president Dayanand Narvekar, blamed the state Sports Ministry for the “virtual halt” in the construction work of the international cricket stadium at Tivim.

There is a dispute going on over 40,000 sq metres, out of the total acquired area of 1.4 lakh sq metres for the stadium.

Briefing the media at the GCA Academy premises, Narvekar alleged that though the High Court had given the verdict in their favour, the state Sports Ministry is yet to forward the court order to the Union Forest Ministry, for the final approval.

Acting on a court directive, the government had kept in abeyance the permission granted to the GCA for the construction of the stadium, after Goa Foundation approached the court over the alleged irregularities.

Narvekar also linked government’s lethargy to a move by a firm to build a cricket stadium at the land acquired for the Sports City at Dhargalim for conducting IPL matches.

“Some company is asking the government to give land at Dhargalim for a cricket stadium and other allied activities,” he said.

He, however, did not name any person or company.

“As a member of the working committee of the BCCI, I brought it to the notice at a meeting and the Board has already said that no more teams would be added to the existing list of 10 teams for the next 15 years, as the schedule is very tight,” he added.

He also denied that the government has told the court about reviewing its decision of allotting the acquired land to the GCA.

He said that it is outlined in the sports policy that the government would provide land to any sports association for building infrastructure.

When asked whether the GCA would be ready to buy the acquired area if the government asks it to do so, Narvekar said, “Let them ask us. As of now, it’s only hypothetical.”

© PTI