Make Campal a village ground: CCP

The Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) felt that the Campal stadium should be a 1200-seater ground, one like the one in villages.  Yatin Parekh, Mayor, stated that the grounds realities and sentiments of Campal residents have been taken into consideration before coming to the decision.

Parekh felt that the ground should be of multipurpose use with jogging track and other recreational facilities and open for local tournaments and football practice.

It was in 2010 that the GSIDC had prepared plans to rebuild the Campal stadium with even plans being drawn for a 5,000-plus accomodation but the Campal residents had opposed it fearing it would lead to further traffic congestion and bottlenecks in the already saturated areas as well as inconvenience their lives, added Parekh.

Parekh felt that if the GFA and SAG want a bigger stadium in Tiswadi then the same be built outside the city where it will not inconvenience the residents. He did not mention where possibly it could be located. The Mayor also did not comment on the proposal of the Government to have the ground reserved for parking since the Kala Academy has elaborate expansion plans.

Many city football fans felt that if the stadium was not razed at all in the first place, it would have continued to exist as it needed a renovation. They also pointed out that the ground is often used to stage big events which draw very brig crowds and wondered if these were not inconveniencing the residents.

Meanwhile, noted cardiologist, Dr Rufino Monteiro who has been spearheading the campaign for rebuilding the Campal stadium, said that efforts were on to get the Campal stadium reconstructed through Panjim MLA, Manohar Parrikar. “It was with the blessings of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat that the GSIDC has drawn up plans for the ground as well as alternate traffic and parking arrangements so that Ponjekars and in particular, residents of Campal and Mira Mar are not inconvenienced.  “We will be meeting the Chief Minister and shall drive home the point that this landmark of Panjim and North Goa should be restored,” stressed Dr Rufino. - By Sports Reporter DLP