Government sleeping over Sports Policy: Narvekar
PORVORIM, DEC 21
The Goa Professional League T-20 cricket tournament will get underway on December 24 with Dempo Cricket Club locking horns with Mechvac Fabricators at 9.30 a.m. at GCA stadium, Alto Porvorim.
In the second encounter, Salgaocar Sports Club will face Al-Fatah Cricket Club at 2 p.m. The matches will be inaugurated by the owners of the respective clubs. The semi-finals will be held on January 2 while the finals will take place on January 3 at 2 p.m. There will be no match on New Year’s Day.
Addressing the media at Porvorim, the president of Goa Cricket Association, Dayanand Narvekar stated that the entry fee per day for two matches will be Rs 100 and Rs 500 for the pavilion. In the pavilion (south stand), seating arrangements for 150 spectators will be made. Besides there will be season passes of Rs 4,000 for pavilion and Rs 1,000 for general category (north stand), the passes being transferable. There will be sale of snacks, lunch, soft drinks and beer at the venue. The tender for the live coverage of matches has been awarded to IN GOA channel.
Narvekar mentioned that there has been a lot of enthusiasm among the general public as well as the corporate sector about GPL matches. The Federal Bank has sponsored Rs 3 lakh and Vijay Bank Rs 3 lakh.
The GCA is expecting an income of Rs 10 lakh through the sale of tickets. Taking into consideration the amount received from the six franchises, the GCA is expecting a total income of Rs 50 lakh. The total expenditure for the Premier League will be around Rs 25 lakh.
The winners will take home Rs 3 lakh and a trophy while the runners-up will pocket Rs 2 lakh and a trophy. The remaining two semi-finalists will get Rs 1lakh each.
“TATA DOCOMO has volunteered to sponsor cheer girls of foreign origin but the GCA has not given a thought to the proposal,” stated Narvekar.
“In order to provide better entertainment to spectators the boundary line has been reduced from 70 yards to 68 yards so as to able players to hit more sixes. Arrangements habve been made to hire the service of some of the best outstation players who have participated in Ranji Trophy such as Manpreet Gony, Aditya Dole and Bhavin Thakker. This year the spectators will get an opportunity to watch at least 10 best outstation players as compared to last year. Bollywood star Jackie Shroff has confirmed his presence for the finals,” Narvekar said.
Narvekar disclosed that the GCA plans to upgrade the Cricket Academy at Porvorim. They want to beautify the surrounding area of the academy and make a parking arrangement for 1000 scooters and 200 cars. As per the suggestion made by trainer, Basu, better gym, training facilities and accommodation for the players will be made available in the academy in the coming years.
Commenting on the Sports Policy of the government, Narvekar commented, “No further steps have been taken by the government regarding the implementation of the provisions of the Sports Policy.”
“The Government is sleeping over the Sports Policy for the last one year. As per the provisions of the Sports Policy the government is supposed to make available a sports ground for each sports association. Unless the associations wake up and react, the government will not act,” Narvekar concluded.
