Concerns have been raised over the deteriorating condition of the government football ground in Morjim, with locals and sportspersons urging immediate intervention from authorities.
Residents have alleged that the stadium seating is on the verge of collapse due to lack of maintenance, while the ground itself is covered in dust with little to no grass, making it unsuitable for sporting activities. Additionally, rooms within the stadium premises remain unused, and indoor sports facilities such as badminton, table tennis, and carrom are reportedly unavailable to students and the local community.
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Speaking on the issue, national kabaddi player Shivnath Shetgaonkar highlighted that despite assurances given in October 2022 by Sports Minister Govind Gaude regarding renovation of the ground and stadium, no visible progress has been made so far.
Locals have also pointed out that high usage charges imposed by the Sports Authority of Goa—reportedly around ₹2,000 per day for organising tournaments—have discouraged events, resulting in no football tournaments being held at the venue over the past two years.
There have been growing demands for immediate repair and construction work, with calls for local MLA Jit Arolkar to take the initiative in addressing the issue. Some residents have even suggested that if renovation is not feasible, the space could be repurposed for public use, such as setting up a mini hospital.
Echoing similar concerns, local resident Albert Fernandes urged authorities, including the sports ministry, to take urgent note of the ground’s condition and act swiftly to restore the facility for community use.
