Kanzil Rodrigues
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: Even as the state government is confident of organising the Lusofonia Games in Goa, St Andre legislator Vishnu Surya Wagh, who has been a vocal critic of the event, has expressed strong doubts on whether the games will be organised in the state.
In fact, Wagh has even gone to the extent of stating that he would be “the happiest person if the games are not held in Goa.”
Incidentally, Wagh’s critical comments on the Lusofonia Games comes barely three weeks after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has stated that he would never have hosted the games, but was forced to do so due to assurances given by the previous Congress government. Parrikar had, however, said he would complete all the requirements (for the games) but “without feelings”.
It may be recalled that Wagh has criticised Goa as a host to the Lusofonia Games and had even opposed Goa’s participation in the event.
“I have no problem with the state government in setting up infrastructure facilities in my constituency for the games like an athletic stadium and a stadium at the university. But given the present situation, I’m quite sure that the Lusofonia Games 2013 may not be held in the state,” Wagh told Herald.
“Whatever I have seen so far makes me feel that the games will not be held in Goa at all as there is lot (of work) to be done. I will be the happiest person if the games are not held in Goa,” said Wagh.
“Under the present scenario, team may back out from the games and I am given to understand that football teams from Brazil and Portugal have already backed out. And if such teams back out, then what is the use of the Lusofonia Games,” he asked.
When asked to comment on the current work in progress, Wagh said he has not inspected any infrastructure facilities till date, though some of them are coming up in his constituency.
