PORVORIM: The acting President of Goa Cricket Association Dr Shekar Salkar stated that the association has commenced the government formalities for the construction of eco-friendly, energy efficient cricket stadium of international standard (cricket village) on 2,92,000 sqm land acquired at Bicholim.
“The estimated cost is around Rs 300 crore and the association proposed to construct the cricket village on public private partnership (PPP) model due to financial crunch. The monthly amount for maintenance of the stadium would be approximately Rs 10 lakh. The GCA also proposed to build a movie theatre, water sports facilities and other amenities to attract tourists to generate additional income for the association, informed Dr Salkar after announcing the new executive committee at a meeting at its headquarters, at Alto-Porvorim on Wednesday.
Dr Salkar, after taking over as the acting president after a long and stormy accusation-spiced battle with outgoing president Vinod Phadke, added “whatever happens, happens for the best”.
Dr Salkar further stated that his vision is to make GCA, the best cricket association of India and keeping this in mind the association desires to give priority for e-governance for an effective and transparent management.”
“All the affiliated clubs will be given an e-mail identity. The GCA will be registered as the ‘Sports Body’ so that it can get Income Tax rebate and other incentives. It will request the State government to refund an amount of Rs 9 crore deposited with the latter or else allot them land admeasuring 15,000 to 20,000 sqm, in each taluka for the construction of grounds,” Dr Salkar mentioned.
With regard to the selection of players, he stated that the selections will be purely on the merit basis and the members will not interfere with the selection process. Players from other States will not be included in the State team that will be participating in the Ranji Trophy tournament.
The association proposed to offer grants to the clubs for organizing cricket tournaments at State, district and taluka levels and promote other Indian sports such as Kabaddi, kho kho etc by offering them grants.
“A separate women’s cricket wing will be established to encourage women to participate in the game,” Dr Salkar said.
The executive committee members are: first Vice President Amaresh Naik, second Vice President Sanjay Kanekar, third Vice President Manohar Naik, Secretary Chetan Dessai, Treasurer Vilas Dessai, first Joint Secretary Dinesh Kinlekar, second Joint Secretary Sudin Kamat, Joint Secretary (women) Anagha Arlekar and members Akbar Mulla, Suryakant Naik, Suraj Lotliker, Dattaram Shetgaonker, Atul Naik and P S Sandhu.
