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