MARGAO: IMG Reliance officials conducted an Indian Super League (ISL) review meeting and inspection for nearly five hours at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Saturday, to take stalk of the current situation.
The team comprised of officials from IMG Reliance Andy Kynee, Simon, Bikram Singh, Yesh Patel, Stephen Botha (IMG security officer), All India Football Federation Assistant Secretary (Competitions) Anil Kamat, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Margao Mohan Naik; Police Inspector, Traffic Cell, Prabodh Shirwaikar; GFA Vice President, South Goa Schubert Furtado; Goa Football Association executive members Anthony Pango, Arnaldo Costa, Anthony Leo Fernandes, John Silva; Stadium Manager Gurudas Vernekar, SAG Engineer Elvis D’Souza, General Secretary of Dempo Sports Club Alberto Colaco, Jovito Lopes, Football Club Goa, the Goa Franchise of the Indian Super League and World Sports Group.
When asked an IMG official stated, “We are happy with the overall condition of the ground as I believe it was refurbished recently, overall it’s a great facility. However, we have made some suggestions to them and sure they will execute them to perfection before the start of the tournament.”
Alberto Colaco of FC Goa was also very happy with the overall feedback he got from the delegation and feels that Goa is all set for the biggest football revolution in the State.
“It was a review meeting and not an inspection. The officials were very happy with the facilities at the stadium and termed it as the best they have visited so far in the country,” informed Colaco.
“However, some minor recommendations have been made to improve the facility further and the stadium manager has been informed of the same.”
Gurudas Vernekar, stadium manager expressed confidence that before the start of the ISL, everything will be in place and all recommendations made by them will be delivered on time.
“It is a big event and a matter of pride for the State, so all recommendations made by them will be delivered in time,” added Vernekar.
“The ground will be ready in the first week of October, much before the first match of the ISL that is scheduled for kick off on October 16,” he mentioned.
Some of the changes recommended to the stadium manager include a separate entrance and sitting arrangement for the press and VIPs.
However, everyone is tight lipped with regards to the controversial turf at the ground.
Earlier, the AIFF Assistant General Secretary Anil Kamat had expressed his dissatisfaction over the condition of the turf at Fatorda stadium after the Lusofonia Games.
When asked Kamat if the problem was rectified he said, “It is too early to comment on it right now, as the grass cutting is currently underway and they have over a month to get the job done. So I feel before the start of the tournament everything will fall in place.”
It may be recalled that the re-laid turf at Fatorda had received flak from players, coaches and experts due to its uneven surface in the past with even the I-League clubs opting the Tilak Maiden in Vasco for their matches after the Lusofonia Games.
According to sources in the GFA and SAG, no practice matches have been scheduled at the Nehru stadium and the stadium will directly re-open with FC Goa’s opener against Chennai on October 16.
The minor issues may be rectified in time, however it remains to be seen if the players and managers will be happy this time around with the playing surface at the stadium.
