A 45,000 capacity stadium at Dhargal soon: Lotlikar

Herald:  For 20 years now GCA has been striving to get its own stadium despite being the richest sports body. Why haven’t we managed to build a stadium of despite having support from BCCI?

Suraj Lotlikar: Well, there are two issues, one is the BCCI does give a subsidy grant of Rs 75 cr for building stadium but it does not release the amount at the start) will release the subsidy based on site inspection and reports.

For not having stadium despite efforts there are various reasons, for example then president Dayanad Narvekar, who was also the finance minister,  had acquired land at Thivim and the GCA had moved forward even starting  work but it was brought to the notice that it was a private forest and it got stuck there. Thereafter,  there was some opposition and resistance from the farmers and hence the government decided to take that land back and give us land somewhere else but that did not happen.

Herald: Please continue…

Suraj Lotlikar: Subsequently, during the last two terms there was money paid to the government for the land at Dhargal and Thivim.

Thereafter, GCA bought land at Maulinguem , Bicholim but the new managing committee felt all development is coming near the Mopa airport, which will also have a super express highway to South Goa, all hotels will be around Mopa so if you see the feasibility and logistics and so also the financial viability of the stadium we thought it is going to be advisable for a stadium at Dhargal.

Herald: Do you have a land at Dhargal?

Suraj Lotlikar:  No, we have approached the government, the Sports Minister Manoarbab Azgaonkar has also made an announcement in the Assembly that they are in the process of allotting the land to us. We have already made the substantial payments to them. I think it will now go to the cabinet and we will come to know soon.

Herald:  How much the government owe GCA?

Suraj Lotlikar: Well, about Rs 7.5 cr we had given for land at Dhargal and another Rs 1.05 cr for the lease amount of Thivim land which has not been returned to us. The file will now go through the finance department and the costing will be worked out and adjusted against the new land to be allotted at Dhargal.

Herald: Has the land at Dhargal been identified?

Suraj Lotlikar:  Yes, the land at Dhargal has been identified. We had a joint inspection along with the Sport Authority of Goa about 1.89 lakh sq meters of land will be allotted to us. 

Herald: What kind of a stadium are you looking out for?

Suraj Lotlikar:  We are not going for a huge stadium but a basic need based on our budget. So we are thinking at a 45,000 capacity stadium with a practice ground and all the amenities.

Herald:  How much will be the cost of the stadium?

Suraj Lotlikar: Our consultant has worked out a budged of Rs 200 cr. At the moment we don’t have the money but our subsidy money is with the BCCI that has to be seen how much is with them. Then we have a land at Maulinguem if we convert that into settlement and sell we can get some money with that we can start.

We are also looking at private participation like PPP model there are some inquiries coming in.

Herald: Why PPP?

Suraj Lotlikar: As per BCCI policy we will be allotted One Day match or Test match or T20 once in two years or three years so the stadium becomes a white elephant and is very difficult to maintain and at the same time if you don’t build a stadium they don’t give match this is BCCIs policy. So we thought we can adopt the PPP model and after the lease period is over they can hand it over to us. This model is only into consideration.

Herald: When will Goa finally see a stadium of its own?

Suraj Lotlikar: Once the cabinet gives its approval we will get to work and more or less within 2 to 3 years it should be ready if all goes well.