MARGAO: Responding to the rundown and neglected state of the football ground in Raia, the Directorate of Tribal Welfare has, at the request of the Raia village panchayat, transferred the proposal for its development to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. In a letter addressed to the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Dasharath M Redkar, Director of Tribal Welfare, indicated that the Sports Authority of Goa would execute the proposed development as an executing agency.
The current state of the Raia football ground has prompted serious concern, with villagers advocating for regular maintenance and improvements over several years.
The Raia panchayat had submitted a proposal to the Directorate of Tribal Welfare for developmental work under the Adivasi Vikas Yojana Scheme. However, during a recent meeting, the sanctioning committee of the Tribal Department decided to transfer the proposal to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. The development would be undertaken under the TSP funds, with a maximum sanction limit of Rs 1.5 crore.
Raia Sarpanch Peter Quadros said, “There is urgent need for repairs across the complex, including the VIP stand. The slabs need to be replaced or repaired, erecting of sheds on both the stands is needed, besides several other major works including painting,” he said. Due to insufficient funds at the panchayat level, he noted that these essential improvements could only be carried out at the department level.
Judas Quadros, former Sarpanch and current panch member, highlighted the urgency of the situation and the dilapidated conditions of one of the large football grounds in the South district. The proposal was initiated during his tenure, considering the seriousness of the matter.
