Team Herald
MARGAO: The Congress on Sunday demanded that the role of Dr Shrikant Ajgaonkar, vice chairman of Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) who is also the member of Sports Authority of Goa having no knowledge of sports and football needs to be investigated in the recent State domestic football match fixing allegations.
Party spokesperson Vithu Morajkar claimed that the conspicuous silence of the Sports Minister Manohar alias Babu Ajgaonkar on the alleged scam which came to light after a London-based agency red-flagged six matches played in Goa in the last season further strengthens the claim that his brother may be involved in “match-fixing” deal. Even Chief Minister has not commented on it.
“The Sports Minister, who is known for his “Mission 30 per cent Commission,” has appointed his brother on the two sports bodies and has also given him the plum position of vice chairman of GFDC sidelining eminent footballers like Bruno Coutinho, Lectar Mascarenhas, former Navelim MLA and footballer Avertano Furtado and others. The appointment of Dr Shrikant Ajgaonkar as GTDC Director may be part of the strategy of the Sports Ministers to facilitate his foreign tours in connection with the match fixing deals,” Morajkar alleged.
“We have time and again demanded that the source of expenditure of foreign tours made by Dr Ajgaonkar needs to be investigated. There is every possibility that these tours were sponsored by the match fixers,” claimed Morajkar.
The Congress has reiterated its demand that a detailed investigation be carried out over possible link of Ajgaonkar’s brother in the match fixing of football matches in Goa.
“If the timely action is not taken, the virus of fixing will penetrate deep into young players who are being trained by GFDC and will cause disaster to the beautiful game of football,” he warned.
