Rs 100 crore BCCI grant for stadium, says Goa Cricket Association

Panaji: The

Goa Cricket Association

announced on Wednesday that the wait for an international cricket stadium in the state will end soon.

The GCA is moving ahead with plans to construct the cricket stadium at Dhargal in north Goa.

“Decks have been cleared to lay the foundation stone anytime as all permissions from the authorities have been acquired. The Board (BCCI) will provide a grant of Rs 100 crore for stadium construction,” GCA president Suraj Lotlikar told a gathering of over 80 clubs at the GCA Academy ground in Porvorim.

The association has also received the support of chief minister Pramod Sawant.

“I urge all of you to come together for cricket. Put an end to politics in sports. I promise to resolve the issue (lease of Porvorim ground) before the beginning of the new year. I also promise to extend all help in matters pertaining to the international cricket stadium,” said Sawant.

Sports minister Manohar Ajgaonkar was delighted with the speed of groundwork done by GCA. The stadium comes up in Pernem, a constituency he represents.

"When the international stadium is built, we will have job opportunities for locals. Adjoining facilities will also come up and the rural areas will see a lot of development," said Ajgaonkar.

Uday Joshi & Associates Architects presented the plan for the 32,000-capacity stadium, to be constructed over an area of 2 lakh square metres.

GCA secretary Vipul Phadke emphasised on continued efforts to build on the infrastructure with various MoUs.

Phadke also credited the encouraging results in men's and women's cricket in the 2021 season to allround development undertaken by the GCA managing committee.

The GCA secretary revealed plans to start 'centres of excellence' to boost preparations of the Under-19s and Ranji Trophy probables, while plans are also in place to revive the residential academy at Porvorim.