FIFA gives green signal for artificial turf at Tilak, Duler

As part of the ambitious `win in India with India programme`, FIFA-Football`s world governing body has given a nod to lay two artificial fields in Goa at Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Duler ground, Mapusa.

Panaji: As part of the ambitious `win in India with India programme`, FIFA-Football`s world governing body
has given a nod to lay two artificial fields in Goa at Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Duler ground, Mapusa. The All India Football Federation has confirmed that the FIFA technical team which visited Goa last month has found four venues `technically feasible` to lay the artificial turfs, two of which will reap the benefit of Fifa`s generosity. AIFF General Secretary, Alberto Colaco in a communique to Goa Football Association (GFA) early this week the FIFA development office has approved sanction of two artificial football turf fields in Goa which has been endorsed and confirmed at the emergency committee meeting of the AIFF in the presence of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Mohammad Bin Hammam, AFC vice-president and FIFA development office (Sri Lanka), Manilal Fernando and David Borja from the Fifa Development office in Zurich. The Don Bosco ground in Panaji, and Cuncolim ground has been shortlisted as the alternate venues, should either the Sports Authority of Goa or Goa Football Association, who own either stadium, turn their backs on the project. "We have received a communique from the AIFF informing us that Tilak Maidan has been approved," confirmed SAG executive director V M Prabhudesai. The SAG were initially hesitant to sign the mandatory Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and instead suggested changes. One of the major changes was the ownership of the stadium should continue to be with the SAG and not with the AIFF for a period of 25 years. "There are other changes too, but they are mostly minor. Our major concern was ownership of the stadium and we made it clear to the AIFF that we could not agree to that," said Prabhudesai when contacted him on phone. The revised MoU suggested by the SAG has been sent to FIFA for its approval. While, GFA will take a decision to accept their terms and condition of the contract of laying the artificial turf at their meeting to be held on 9th October, 2010, stated Savio Messias, GFA secretary. Fifa has proposed to set up eight artificial turf fields in India. Contracts for setting up four artificial turf fields in Shillong, Imphal, Bangalore and Mumbai have already been signed, while four other venues will sign the contract by the end of the year. Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala were initially shortlisted to receive the turfs, but since there was no positive response, the AIFF decided to allot additional turfs to Goa, Maharashtra and Bengal. The signing formalities have to be completed latest by December 31, 2010, while it normally takes three months to lay the turf. The first of its kind turf is expected to be laid at the Cooperage in Mumbai. PTI