Thomas Fernandes
CALANGUTE: Anjuna-Caisua residents discussed the development of the panchayat football ground in Chivar, Anjuna at the gram sabha on Sunday.
The villagers stated that it was high time they got together to plan the development and maintenance of the ground in the interest of youngsters and sports-lovers. Anjuna-Caisua Deputy Sarpanch Savio Almeida assured them the panchayat’s support and co-operation.
The villagers alleged that the panchayat ground had been neglected and initially suggested that the ground be developed with government funds.
When a villager asked why the football ground had not been maintained or developed by the panchayat, Almeida stated, “We took up the matter with the government by writing to the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG). However, we received a letter from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs asking us to transfer the land in their name. In the letter, it has stated that the estimate for developing the ground is ready, but the land needs to be transferred in the name of the Directorate. We cannot transfer it. The land has been gifted to us by the Anjuna comunidade.”
The villagers also objected to the transfer of the land in the name of the government and other bodies.
“If we gift the land to the government for development, we may not be permitted to use it. We might be forced to approach the government time and again for permission to use the ground. The developed ground should be readily available for our children and players,” stated Lingudkar, a villager.
Another villager added, “The panchayat should develop the football ground with its own funds in the interest of the younger generation and villagers of Anjuna-Caisua. Why wait for the government to develop it? Don’t we have funds?”
The villagers and sports lovers suggested that the football ground be developed by the local body with its own funds in phases. Almeida agreed to the suggestion and invited the villagers for a discussion to finalise the matter.
