PANJIM: The FIFA-approved Unity World Cup, Expo 2014 semi finals and finals will be played at the Raia panchayat ground and not at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Fatorda as earlier announced.
The reason: Two days ago Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) replied to the letter of the organizers dated three months ago booking the stadium, stating that the Fatorda stadium has been booked by the Indian Super League (ISL) for three months and is unavailable.
SAG asked the Unity World Cup organizers to contact and reach an agreement with the ISL on the use of the ground. With the inaugural of the championship scheduled for December 5, the organizers quickly finalized Raia grounds as the venue for the matches.
Raia – whether by luck or design – will now get to host big footballing names like Brazil’s Luciano and Minerio, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the tournament.
Besides hosts India, the other countries playing are Brazil, Portugal, Colombia, Nigeria, Ghana, Uzbekistan and Egypt. While the inaugural ceremony will be held in Goa, the 12 league matches will be held at Hyderabad and Bangalore from December 6 to 9, with the semi finals on December 11 and 12 and final on December 14 in Goa.
GFA officials say they helped the organizers and permissions were obtained from the Union ministries of external affairs and home for the tournament. However, local permissions turned into a problem and the new venue was finalized only on Saturday. Seating will have to be arranged at Raia, but organizers were unwilling to give details.
For the inaugural on December 5, top musicians including Sonia Sirsat, Hema Sardessai, Thomson, Trisca, Glenn, Errol, Joanne Frazer, Auroville, Grayston, Joe will put up a mega show at Raia grounds.
