Team Herald
[email protected]
MARGAO: The legacy of late Monte Cruz, the former sports minister who oversaw the construction of the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda, will be honoured next week when a stand at the iconic venue is officially named after him.
The unveiling will coincide with the India vs Singapore AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier on October 14, marking both a celebration of Goan football history and a return of international action to the State after eight years.
The Goa Football Association (GFA) President Caitano Fernandes said, “The gesture recognises the man who turned the vision of a modern stadium into reality.”
“Monte Cruz was responsible for building the Fatorda Stadium in just eight months when he was the sports minister. His contribution laid the foundation for Goan football’s modern era,” Fernandes said after chairing a coordination meeting with the officials from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Sports Department.
The GFA, in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, has finalised logistics and crowd-management plans for the qualifier.
Fernandes said, “The Singapore team will arrive in Goa by October 11 and the Indian team shortly before that.”
“It is a privilege for Goa to host this international fixture once again. I request all football lovers, players and families to come and support Team India and celebrate the spirit of football that unites our State,” he added.
Cruz’s family members have welcomed the government’s decision, recalling his vision and commitment to grassroots sport.
They noted that as sports minister in the late 1980s, he championed the idea of a dedicated football stadium for Goa and personally monitored the project’s rapid completion. The Fatorda facility went on to host the 1989 Nehru Cup and remains the State’s premier football venue.
The Monte Cruz Stand, newly refurbished with upgraded seating and improved amenities, will be unveiled ahead of kick-off on the match day in the presence of senior government officials, GFA representatives and Cruz’s family and relatives.
Fernandes said, “The timing of the dedication and the international match captures both Goa’s football heritage and its continuing passion for the game. “It’s a proud moment for Goan football – honouring our past while welcoming the next chapter,” he said.
