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PANJIM: Tiswadi taluka will finally get their first synthetic turf football ground as the Santa Cruz football ground has been proposed to get a facelift as the local authorities are working to get the project passed.
In their first meeting of Project Appraisal Committee (PAC), the first proposal for construction of the synthetic turf for St Cruz stadium, estimated at around Rs.4.24 crore was approved in principle. However, the local bodies are of the opinion that they would fall short of 2.76 cr and have constituted a committee to review the proposal so that they get enough funds to complete the project.
Former Executive Director Sports Authority of India Roque Dias, who is part of the committee to review the proposal expressed that the locals of Santa Cruz deserved better standards for playing football.
“The locals deserve a good ground, and we are going to make sure they get the best facilities at the ground along with the synthetic turf and floodlights,” stated Roque.
“The idea of multi-sports stadium began back in 2016 when we visited the Arsenal home ground– The Emirates Stadium in London.Looking at the infrastructure, we thought of getting the same to Goa,” said Roque who instantly proposed the idea to the AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik and also suggested to the North Goa MP that a similar stadium with the modern amenities like mini indoor swimming pool for rehabilitation, video analyzing room, sauna bath, gym equipment with high sports performance lab be set up in Santa Cruz.
Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GOI had earlier approved the development of synthetic surface at the Santa Cruz football ground.
“When we got the approval for Rs 4.24 crore, I was happy but yes, we were still falling short of the sum and there are lot of other infrastructure planned at the stadium for which we would require more funds. I am going to give my best to see that the people get a good stadium at Santa Cruz,” explained former Executive Director.
However seeking to know more about the synthetic turf, Herald contacted an expert in the field of synthetic turfs, who wished to remain anonymous. He stated that the ground could be easily prepared in the earlier budget approved.
“If you say the authority had a budget of Rs 4 crore, they could easily get the synthetic turf fixed following all procedures including filling of sand etc. In that budget we could even set up the floodlights and all requirements a needed at the field. But we also have to check if they have other infrastructural plans at the venue,” explained the expert.
Though artificial grass typically has a higher initial cost than natural turf, it has a lower life cycle cost.
“Personally getting a synthetic turf is the best deal considering the number of grounds we have in the state and how they are maintained,” he expressed.
There are roughly 200 grounds in the State but the question is how many State-maintained grounds are up to the mark?
The Indian Super League teams that have arrived in the State were left unhappy with the grounds that were offered by the authority concerned and few clubs had to find and negotiate with local clubs and academies to use their respective grounds.
This unhappiness sheds light on the biggest issue so far post-development of the projects.
But getting the synthetic turf would definitely be an achievement but it will surely throw up more challenges.
“Though the ground doesn’t require much maintenance for a period of first ten years and can stand all weather conditions, this would be the best bet. But the real challenge would be when the turf gets worn out. Who would take the responsibility of changing the turf?” questioned another football expert.
Many coaches don’t prefer to train on artificial turf and the same could be seen with the ISL teams. Although there are three artificial turf venues in the State, none of the ISL team coaches preferred training on these venues. “Injury is a main concern to avoid training on such pitches. The players are prone to injuries and while playing on the synthetic turf, no coaches would take risk training on these grounds,” stated a coach.
White Elephant?
Goa has been known for claiming to present ‘State-of-an-art projects that have been put forth whenever they hosted national or international events. Be it Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium and Athletic Stadium, Bambolim during the Lusofonia Games or the renovation of various stadiums during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, not forgetting the work carried out at different venues for the National Games. The State has left no opportunity in upgrading the standards for the sports persons.
However, these structures are turning out to be white elephants as they are rarely utilised or are given to use for any sports bodies. The Tilak Maidan and Bambolim Athletic Stadium, are rarely used for football activities.
It is also believed that the project will be used for revenue generating purpose by holding local dramas and other entertainment shows.
How different will the Santa Cruz ground be?
The best way to get the ground utilised and maintained would be to give some stakes to local bodies or private clubs to manage them. The perfect example is the Don Bosco ground, Panjim which has been undertaken by Sporting Clube de Goa, who are maintaining the same which has been even considered as one of the training venues for the Indian Super League.
