The Gaurs have invested over 1 crore INR on those pitches so far.
Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa are being forced out of their training grounds at Salvador do Mundo. The club are currently involved in a tussle with the Panchayat and the residents of Salvador do Mundo, over the usage of the training grounds.
“These are the effects on an ongoing political battle between the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat and the region’s Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). FC Goa and the Panchayat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the grounds’ usage, in May 2020. The signed MoU clearly mentions that the club do not have to pay any rent for using the grounds in the first three years. After the completion of this initial phase, both parties are to mutually agree on a rent fee, as per the MoU,” .
They further added, “Having obtained the rights to use the grounds, FC Goa built two pitches there – one for their first-team that plays in the ISL and the other for the locals. Both are proper football turfs and come with maintenance facilities, including sprinkler systems. On the pitch meant for the local residents, the club are also providing free coaching at the U-18, U-14 and grassroots levels.”
FC Goa have invested a sum total of over ₹1 crore on those pitches so far. However, trouble began when the local youths were apparently barred from using the second turf for cricket, as per Goan media. Meanwhile, our sources revealed that FC Goa were fine with cricket being played there.
“Following a request from the club, the MLA of the region allowed for the provision of matting and other facilities needed to convert the football turf into a cricket pitch when needed. But, that offer was denied. Then on Sunday, the turf was then dug up to build a permanent concrete pitch without any prior notice. The Panchayat’s intentions of looking to build infrastructure for cricket via a concrete pitch has never been communicated formally to FC Goa to-date,” they said.
#SalvadorInShambles
— FC Goa Fan Club (@fcgoafanclub) November 30, 2021
A cricket pitch being dug up on the 2nd turf which was being used to provide free training to the local U14, U18 & Grassroots players. The digging up has also damaged the sprinkler & drainage system of the necessary for the maintenance of the turf..!#FCGoa pic.twitter.com/IPqRZAWjjc
“The digging has damaged not only the turf, but also the sprinkler and drainage systems, which were installed for necessary maintenance,” our sources noted.
Despite their presence of over 200 football grounds in Goa, most of them remain unused due to the poor ground conditions and the cost of maintenance. On that note, it goes without saying that the activities at Salvador do Mundo has undone a lot of work put in by FC Goa and has wasted the money that was well spent for the benefit of upcoming footballers and the growth of the sport in the state
The damage caused to the pitch, the sprinkler system and the drainage will surely force FC Goa to halt their footballing activities. Meanwhile, the club are also likely to approach the state government and move court in a bid to resolve the matter at the earliest.
Club Statement: FC Goa condemns acts of premeditated vandalism at Salvador do Mundo Village Panchayat Ground