TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: When the government announced that the Nehru stadium at Fatorda would play host to the Lusofonia Games inaugural and closing ceremonies, hopes were raised amongst the sports enthusiasts that the stadium and the adjoining sports centres would get a face lift.
No doubt, the stadium was renovated and refurbished for the big occasion, but customers of the canteen housed in the adjoining SAG swimming pool complex have nothing to cheer about. For, while the swimming pool complex received a white wash in tune with the festive mood around the Nehru stadium, the canteen is indeed craving for attention.
A visit to the canteen revealed that the walls wore a dirty look for want of a fresh coat of paint, while the condition of the ceiling was not anything better. Incidentally, the outer wall of the canteen and it’s window grills had received a white wash, giving an impression that all is well at the canteen.
Though the wash basin was repaired around a year ago, waste water gets accumulated in the basin, creating an unhygienic environment.
The condition of the tables and chairs on the right side of the canteen is in a deplorable state, with the chairs and cushions lying broken, torn and damaged.
It’s not known who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the canteen – whether the Sports Authority of Goa or the contractor awarded the canteen contract.
The swimming pool canteen is frequented by sportsmen, besides policemen, whose plea for a turnaround of the premises have gone abegging for a long time now.
A city-based lawyer, who frequents the premises, contended that the government ought to have refurbished the canteen as part of the Lusofonia games project.
