PANJIM: The dream of having a full-fledged football ground at Santa Cruz will soon turn into reality as the government and authority has commenced all formal procedures in getting it started.
Today, i.e. February 3, is the last day to put in the bid for the tender floated by the Sports Authority of Goa regarding the ‘upgradation of playground at Santa Cruz’.
It is learnt that the authority concerned had made some changes in the eligibility conditions and tender terms which has affected some of the bidders who claimed that the terms and conditions were complex and did not allow certain companies and favoured others.
One such bidder was Deepak Khanolkar, who wrote to the Chief Secretary and SAG regarding the terms and conditions.
Khanokar in his letter to chief secretary stated, “We feel that the tender terms are complex and do not allow for participation for companies like us who have executed FIFA tendered projects.”
The letter further read, “Moreover, the need is to look at next generation products and solutions, looking at the future needs of the game and its infrastructure, then going by what is being done using older technology.”
Khanokar further stressed, “We feel that the tender terms need to be looked at and modified to suit all experienced companies (We have executed 10 FIFA projects in India and Bhutan).”
He requested to extend the tender submission date.
“They are looking for FIFA kind of installations but they have not invited the companies which have worked on such projects earlier,” Khanokar added.
It is given to understand that Deepak Khanokar is installing FIFA approved football surface in Manipur for Rs 3.5 Cr which is directly paid by FIFA.
Another bidder claimed that the authority concerned has changed the product description to favour single vendor.
“This tender is being prepared to favour a cartel which comprises of some companies related to each other. The previous corrigendum was also issued to make sure no other bidder qualifies apart from the four companies for whom the tender has been altered,” said an interested bidder on the condition anonymity.
