Team Herald
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MARGAO: In a long-awaited tribute to one of Goa’s key sports visionaries, the State government on Tuesday officially named one of the stands (West Stand) at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, after former sports minister Francisco Monte Cruz.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the international football match between India and Singapore, held at the iconic stadium. The event was attended by Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sawant said the naming of the stand was a fitting recognition of Monte Cruz’s pivotal role in the construction of the Fatorda Stadium.
“It was because of the vision, dedication and efforts of Francisco Monte Cruz that this stadium was completed within a period of just six months back in 1989,” he said, recalling the minister’s contribution to Goa’s sports infrastructure.
He further noted that the government had made a commitment during the Assembly session to name one of the stands in Monte Cruz’s honour and that the promise had now been fulfilled.
“Our government had assured the House that one of the stands would be named after Monte Cruz, and today we have kept that assurance,” the Chief Minister said to loud applause from the crowd.
The gesture comes as a mark of gratitude to Monte Cruz, whose tenure as sports minister saw major strides in the development of sports facilities in Goa. The Fatorda Stadium, which today hosts international football and cricket matches, stands as one of his most enduring legacies.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai also welcomed the government’s decision, calling it a “well-deserved honour” for a leader who had envisioned Goa’s rise as a sporting destination.
The announcement, made during an international sporting event, added a symbolic touch – linking Goa’s sporting past with its dynamic present. With this dedication, the government has not only honoured Monte Cruz’s contribution but also reinforced Fatorda Stadium’s legacy as a landmark built through vision, speed, and commitment to Goan sport.
