The erstwhile Campal Stadium came alive and kicking what with a record number of 118 teams indulging in spot-kicking, scores of former international, national and state footballers alongwith hundreds of fans cheering them despite heavy rains and rough weather, with just one motto – rebuild the Campal Stadium. It was a massive show of strength on Sunday.
It was a spontaneous expression of solidarity for rebuilding the stadium which was razed by the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in 2004 with the promise to rebuild it in 18 months. Parrikar, who is the capital city MLA, but could not rebuild it as his government collapsed, himself made his presence felt and inaugurated the mega event which saw two ladies team also participating, if only to reiterate the message in clear tone, that come what may, the Government will have to give Ponjekars its stadium.
Parrikar assured football players and fans that football was Goa’s first love and he would give his full backing to ensure that the stadium would be rebuilt. He also expressed his hope, that most of the cabinet ministers, being football lovers, would support such a demand.
CCP Mayor Yatin Parekh, Arjuna awardee, ex-international Brahmanand Sancoalcar, Henry Brito of Academica fame and a hosts of national and state footballers descended at the open ground with the sole goal of lending their support for a genuine cause. The wafer-thin opposition was nowhere to be seen.
The organisers – Dr Rufino Monteiro, CCP Corporator Surendra Furtado, Joaquim Teles, Sandeep Heble, Hillary Fernandes, Manoj Patil, Anju Albuquqrque, Anagha Warlikar – stood vindicated as it was a purely democratic expression by the stakeholders. “We have suffered all these years and now the time has come to act. Plans are already there in place. We need to pass the message in loud and clear terms to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and if need be, even to Speaker Pratapsing Rane, who is the Chairman of Kala Academy. Both are former sportsmen and lovers of sports and surely they will be on the side of youth. We know they will respect the sentiments of sportsmen and sportslovers, as they strongly believe in democracy,” they said.
Results of the five-a-side tie-breaker: Winners – Mangor Tommy of Vasco (Rs 4000). Runners-up – SFX Mala, Panjim (Rs 3000). Third place Dempo Tigers, Altinho (Rs 2000). Fourth place – Keunem Boys, Taleigao. Best goalkeeper Nikhil of Mangor. Best striker Ali Mohammed of Dempo Tigers. Best youngest player Hartem Rebello. Best senior player Hillary Fernandes.
Dempo College of Commerce, Mira Mar, Cross 7 Caranzalem, Auxilium High School Caranzalem and Young Boys of Kevrem were awarded Rs 1000 each.
There were 56 teams from Panjim itself, 24 teams from Taleigao and Dona Paola, 12 from St. Cruz and Merces and the others from nearby areas. Many city schools also made their presence felt with some schools like Don Bosco, Panjim fielding as many as four teams.
The tournamment was conducted by Selvyn Fernandes , Anthony Vaz, Angelo Albuquerque and Eurico Mascarenhas. Organizing secretary Sandeep Heble proposed the vote of thanks. - DLP
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